Map accuracy

The draft Native Vegetation Regulatory map has been peer-reviewed by mapping experts and independently reviewed by landholders. The draft map has been available for landholder review across all areas of New South Wales since March 2024.

Independent review and public engagement

The draft map has been through various external reviews and consultations, including an independent evaluation of stakeholder confidence in the unpublished categories of the draft map.

The department has also been working with Local Land Services and the NSW Farmers Association to explain the map to farmers at field day events, industry conferences and regional information workshops. The department has also been actively promoting the Check My Land app, which enables landholders to view the mapping through their mobile device.

The draft Native Vegetation Regulatory map has been prepared using a peer-reviewed scientific method and has involved years of analysis.

Expert mapping scientists examined aerial and satellite images to generate land use and vegetation maps, with quality checks on the ground. Over 170 other data sources were also used, including: steep and highly erodible land mapping, threatened species records, and existing approvals and agreements. Improvements to the map method are ongoing.

The map method has been reviewed and endorsed by independent scientists acting as an independent Technical Review Committee. Independent experts from Geosciences Australia, ABARES, Victoria and Queensland reviewed the map method initially in 2015–2017 and again in 2021 and found that the method was appropriate and based on the available technology.

This video tells you more about how the map was created.