South Pindimar landmark brought back to life by volunteers

VOLUNTEERS from around Pindimar have brought life back to the planter underneath South Pindimar’s famous pine tree, amid concerns for the landmark’s longevity.

The tree, the tallest along South Pindimar beach, has been in place for longer than most can remember, and has always formed the focal point of community activity in the area.

“In 2025, seven volunteers helped to fill in and stabilise a wooden planter that MidCoast Council had installed at our request,” Clare Mason, Events Co-Ordinator for Pindimar-Bundabah Community Association (PBCA), told NOTA.

Concerns had been raised that the pre-existing seat structure around the base was not beneficial to the tree, and human activity was undermining the pine’s stability.

“One idea had been to put rocks around the tree, but we knew too well that people would be tempted to pick them up and toss them into the water, so Council gave the PBCA half a metre of soil to fill in a planter, which was topped up locally,” Clare explained.

“Local woodchips were sourced by various community members, and plants were also provided by Council for the planter, but the summer heat was too much for them.”

New plants have since been provided, and several of the volunteer planters from last year reconvened at the tree last week to replant several Council-provided lomandra hardy grasses, notable for their ability to flower and withstand the sea-air environment.

“Steve Howard from the Council’s nursery is very easy to work with, especially for volunteer work, and the point now is to preserve the tree,” Clare said.
Locals and visitors are now being asked not to disturb the new garden.

The area around the base of the tree is also facing severe erosion, with clear gaps forming between a previously installed rock barrier and the soil that remains – much like the Tea Gardens riverfront, tidal waters are seeping through the cracks, undermining loose material, and taking it out again.

“If the erosion keeps going, it will be to the detriment of the tree,” Clare said.

The South Pindimar Reserve, where the locally-famous pine tree is located, is often used for events including the Easter raft races, Christmas carols, and is a fantastic picnic spot used extensively by the community and visitors to the area, with broad vistas across Port Stephens Bay.