The Inventory provides baseline information on the state and extent of wetlands in the above catchments.

The definition of a wetland that was adopted is that defined by the NSW Wetlands Management Policy (NSW Government, 1996 p. 12):

Wetlands are defined as land that is:

• inundated with water on a temporary or permanent basis;
• inundated with water that is usually slow moving or stationary;
• inundated with water that is shallow, and
• inundated with water that may be fresh, brackish or saline.

The majority of the data was gained from the multi attribute mapping undertaken by DIPNR. This dataset is a land resources inventory created from 1: 25 000 scale aerial photograph interpretation (Hamilton and Short, 1998). Other spatial and cadastral features were also obtained from DLWC. The accuracy of the multi attribute data was tested by comparing the data with previous mapping exercises in the catchment. Truthing was conducted on about 75% of the wetlands mapped in the inventory

A matrix containing the attributes of each of the wetlands mapped was compiled from a combination of information on tenure from the Tweed Shire Council, endangered species survey from NPWS, local information from DIPNR staff and site visits.