Recommendation 1

At least 80 species that are currently available for sale should be prohibited nationally from sale as an urgent priority. These include the species that are Weeds Of National Significance, species on the Alert List, the species that are declared or noxious, and the 10 species that impact on Rare Or Threatened Australian Plant species.

Recommendation 2

The ten most important species available for sale currently in Australia should be prohibited from sale nationally from July 1, 2005.

Recommendation 3

Many other invasive garden plants nominated by individual states, territories or regions should be added progressively to the list of weeds prohibited from sale nationally.

Recommendation 4

Amendments or new regulations to the current Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (Federal) should be considered, to allow national prohibition of the sale of specific invasive garden plants known to be major weeds and to ensure uniformity between all States and Territories.

Recommendation 5

Voluntary associations between nursery groups and weed managers at the local and regional levels should be fostered to increase the number and effectiveness of future associations.

Recommendation 6

Bushland areas adjoining peri-urban settlements around Australian cities should be actively and regularly searched by experienced botanists and trained community volunteers to detect and eradicate newly naturalised plant species that have already 'jumped the garden fence'.

Recommendation 7

Increased resources should be provided to advance the awareness of the Australian community to the negative impacts that many established and emerging weeds are having on natural and agricultural ecosystems and will have in the future, focusing especially on those already growing in Australian private and public gardens.