As part of the Good Neighbours Program, public land managers across the North Coast and Northern Tablelands are working with private landholders to increase control efforts to better manage tropical soda apple. Eight project partners from Local Control Authorities (LCAs) and other government organisations are participating. The projects extend across multiple land tenures including public and private land.
Project objectives
These projects aim to reduce tropical soda apple infestations across north coast catchments, rivers and estuaries. This includes the Richmond, Clarence and Macleay systems. The work will benefit key agricultural land and environmental assets, such as wildlife corridors, critical habitat and remnants of ancient Gondwana rainforests.
Project background
Tropical soda apple is a highly invasive weed native to South America. It was first identified on a property in the Upper Macleay in 2010 and has since spread into other river systems and catchments across north-eastern NSW.
Tropical soda apple spreads easily via:
- livestock
- wildlife
- floods
- people
- machinery.
Once established, it rapidly outcompetes pasture grasses and native plants. It forms dense, thorny infestations that reduce carrying capacity and restrict livestock movement.
Tropical soda apple is subject to a Biosecurity Control Order across all of NSW, which means landholders and occupiers must comply with the obligations set out in the relevant legislation.
Without proper management, tropical soda apple has the potential to spread across large areas of Australia, causing significant agricultural and biodiversity losses.
Project delivery
- Four partner organisations commenced Round 1 tropical soda apple control efforts in May 2025, with work continuing until June 2026.
- Following the success of these initial projects, a further four partners joined in Round 2, expanding tropical soda apple control into upper catchments and tributaries along the Great Dividing Range.
- On‑ground control work is being delivered alongside community engagement to support awareness and compliance.
Work underway
- More than 20,000 hectares have been surveyed along riparian zones and other high-risk pathways.
- Over 3,500 hectares of tropical soda apple has been treated.
Project updates
Tropical soda apple control results
The removal of mature tropical soda apple plants in November 2025 at George's Junction has seen a significant reduction in ground cover infestation and allowed pasture species to recover.
Ongoing monitoring will help prevent reinfestation.
Steady progress in Cunnawarra National Park
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have conducted several camps in Cunnawarra National Park to control tropical soda apple and monitor progress from previous visits.
In difficult terrain, the team ensured all plants were carefully uprooted and every fruit collected. The prickly plants were taken away in handy backpack bins to be destroyed back at camp.
The team has observed a continued decline in the number of tropical soda apple plants discovered since previous camps in June and October 2025, showing that control efforts over several years is making a measurable difference.
Funding and partnerships
There are 8 tropical soda apple projects across the Northern Tablelands and North Coast regions involving the following organisations:
- Rous County Council
- Forestry Corporation of NSW
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Kempsey Shire Council
- Tenterfield Shire Council.
Contact Local Land Services NSW
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