In the last two months, up to 30 plants have been taken from the newly established gardens. The most recent theft was at the weekend when 15 plants were removed.

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Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group (GULG) believe it was a deliberate act. The plants stolen included flowering gums, Grevilleas, bottlebrush, eremophilas and westringrias and one plant alone cost up to $60.

"They've been selective. They've taken plants from different gardens. We found a beer box up there and so we think they've brought boxes up to put them in. It's been a planned thing, I think," member George Truman said.

Fellow member Owen Hasler said the box they found still had soil in it.

"We know they're Corona drinkers," he said.

Mr Hasler said there had been "very little vandalism" on the hill over the years but the group had still chosen not to publicise that they were putting plants in.

GULG is hopeful the culprits can be identified and the thefts don't continue.