Standardised condition assessment and rehabilitation monitoring methods are currently being developed for rivers across Queensland. These techniques, as well as things like carbon and biodiversity markets, often refer to riparian areas. The term riparian has a range of definitions and riparian zones are rarely mapped based on components and processes so that they can be quantified. Instead, standard buffer widths are typically applied. This has resulted in confusion about what exactly is being managed and why. As part of our current work, we have collated the uses of the word riparian in Queensland and Commonwealth Legislation to see how it is applied. A review was also made of different definitions used in peer reviewed and grey literature. Based on the review an interim definition of riparian was developed to support the needs in Queensland for riparian condition assessment and rehabilitation. A method also is outlined for delineating the proximal riparian zone, which has the greatest influence on the ecosystem service of regulation of bank erosion by vegetation. The delineation of a proximal zone has been considered both spatially and temporally to help managers understand variability in the effects that riparian vegetation may have on influencing riverbank erosion processes. This can then better inform riparian zone delineation and more effectively enact existing legislation.