Welcome to the Australian Local Food System Policy Database. This is a collection of policies from New South Wales (NSW) and Victorian local governments that relate to healthy, sustainable, and equitable food systems.
For further information about using the database and how it was created see How to use the database. You can search the database by using the fields below. Domain refers to eight broad categories under which various topics are situated. The domains and topics are based on a framework of recommendations for local government action on creating a healthy, sustainable, and equitable food system (also located on the ‘How to use the database’ page linked above).
To cite the database: Reeve B, Carrad A, Rose N, Charlton K & Aguirre-Bielschowsky I (2021) Australian Local Food System Policy Database. Available at: https://law-food-systems.sydney.edu.au/policy-database (access date).
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Hold Ctrl to select multiple terms. Using ‘any words’ functions as an “OR” search. Using ‘all words’ functions as and “AND” search.
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| Document title | Relevant text in the policy | Domain | Topic | State | Local Government name | Council type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climate Change | Support for Landcare groups and networks as well as farmers and farmer industry groups to promote awareness and adoption of improved land management activities | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Table 3-1: Adaptation actions – agricultural and manufacturing productivity Action Description RE-1 Research development and extension Continue to advocate and provide strategic support to DPI and industry groups such as BCG for on-going research and development that will assist the agricultural industry adapt to the changing climate Hindmarsh role Advocate Other relevant agencies DPI BCG Wimmera Conservation Farming Association Victorian No-Till Farmers Association Landcare RE-2 Streamlining of planning permit approvals Continue implementation of processes to streamline assessment of planning permit applications including educating and encouraging landholders and businesses to bring proposals to a pre-application meeting Lead Neighbouring councils Links to other actions or strategies Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Strategic Plan – Strategic Direction 1 | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | The introduction of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline is expected to provide opportunities for growth and diversification of agriculture and value adding. The secure, quality water supply is a boost to business development and an opportunity for diversification to reduce vulnerability to drought. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | The recovered water from the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline (WMP) will be allocated to stressed river systems, water recreation and economic development respectively with 20 GL available for new economic growth15. Farmers will have the opportunity to diversify into new valueadded stock and horticulture enterprises, such as growing tomatoes in greenhouses. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | This Adaptation Strategy proposes Council: § Advocate for continued research, development and extension to assist agriculture to adapt to climate change § Continue to streamline planning permit approvals assessment | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Ideas – Develop and implement outreach programs for the Karen community to improve language skills, engage in community activities and volunteer programs e.g. Church services in Karen language, community gardens to grow preferred foods. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Promote opportunities for new agricultural investment appropriate to water resource availability and land capability | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Support farming sector to adapt enterprises to make best use of water provided through the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | The introduction of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline is expected to provide opportunities for growth and diversification of agriculture and value adding. The secure, quality water supply is a boost to business development and an opportunity for diversification to reduce vulnerability to drought. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | The recovered water from the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline (WMP) will be allocated to stressed river systems, water recreation and economic development respectively with 20 GL available for new economic growth15. Farmers will have the opportunity to diversify into new valueadded stock and horticulture enterprises, such as growing tomatoes in greenhouses. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Ideas – Develop and implement outreach programs for the Karen community to improve language skills, engage in community activities and volunteer programs e.g. Church services in Karen language, community gardens to grow preferred foods. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Luv-a-Duck have installed evaporative coolers in all their hatcheries and sheds to respond to heatwaves and have back up generators installed for power outages. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Actions highlighted in green are project ready or underway and can be undertaken within current budget. Table 7-1 Action Climate change adaptation actions, responsibility and timeframe for implementation Description Responsibility within Hindmarsh Regional economy RE-1 Research development and extension RE-2 Streamlining of planning permit approvals RE-3 Economic Development Strategy Continue to advocate and provide strategic support to DPI and industry groups such as BCG for on-going research and development that will assist the agricultural industry adapt to the changing climate Continue implementation of processes to streamline assessment of planning permit applications by educating and encouraging landholders and businesses to bring proposals to a pre-application meeting Develop an Economic Development Strategy based on the findings of the Economic Development Position Paper Community Development Implementation timeframe Project ready Budget impact Implementation steps Underway and ongoing Yes Budget neutral Adopt this Climate Change Action Plan Infrastructure services Underway and ongoing Yes Budget neutral Develop material for the Shire website explaining the planning permit application process and the importance of a pre-application meeting Community Development 2 years Yes Budget allocation or grant will be required | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Areas for Action SD1: Suggested Lead Agency (& collaborating partners) Strengthen the Farming Sector’s Capacity to Prosper in a Changing Climate § Analysis of the impacts of different climate change scenarios on the future productivity of the region to enable communities, the industry and individual businesses to plan for the range of eventualities § Use scenario analysis information in AgFutures projects (and other relevant projects) to improve farmer understanding of what climate change will mean for them and expand the number of communities participating in AgFutures § Grains Innovation Park and Birchip Cropping Group expand research and development of frost, drought and disease resistant plant varieties and sustainable farming systems § Support farming sector to adapt enterprises to make best use of water provided through the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline § Promote opportunities for new agricultural investment appropriate to water resource availability and land capability § Provide weather watch radar in the Wimmera Southern Mallee to enable more timely and effective on-farm operations § Development of R&D partnerships with the new Centre for AgriBiosciences to ensure access to leading scientists, technology and facilities to progress regional priorities for agricultural R&D | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Continue to advocate and provide strategic support to Department of Primary Industry and industry groups such as Birchip Cropping Group for on-going research and development that will assist the agricultural industry adapt to the changing climate | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Continue to advocate and provide strategic support to Department of Primary Industry and industry groups such as Birchip Cropping Group for on-going research and development that will assist the agricultural industry adapt to the changing climate Continue implementation of processes to streamline assessment of planning permit applications including educating and encouraging landholders and businesses to bring proposals to a pre-application meeting | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Current agricultural changes in the Wimmera have been focussed on maximising productivity in a varying climate (i.e. more adaptable and flexible systems) over the past ten years of drought rather than a major shift in farming enterprises. However, there has been accelerated adoption of minimum tillage and other best practice management that have shown their value during this period. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Ideas – Develop and implement outreach programs for the Karen community to improve language skills, engage in community activities and volunteer programs e.g. Church services in Karen language, community gardens to grow preferred foods. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Incorporate agricultural modelling and socio-economic data from climate scenarios into future Economic Development strategic work | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Manufacturing The Wimmera Manufacturing and Industry Group is the region’s key support for developing and growing the manufacturing and export sectors in the region. Through forums, workshops, networking events and professional development opportunities, the Group helps businesses gain a competitive edge by keeping them abreast of the latest industry developments. The Group has a strong focus on export; encouraging businesses to explore the possibility of global trading through field trips and seminars with export leaders. The Group also has a strong commitment to promoting manufacturing as an attractive career option. The group is auspiced by the WDA and comprises membership mainly from the Horsham Rural City, Hindmarsh, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack municipalities. Current operational changes in response to changing climate in the manufacturing sector in the Hindmarsh region include: § Manufacturing businesses allow their employees to work flexible hours and start and finish earlier during hot periods. There are also stop work triggers for hot days, for example 37°C for silo manufacturers, to manage heatwaves § Luv-a-Duck have installed evaporative coolers in all their hatcheries and sheds to respond to heatwaves and have back up generators installed for power outages. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Proposed actions To adapt to and mitigate the risk of reduced agricultural and manufacturing productivity, the Strategy proposes: § Research, development and extension (RD&E) § Streamline assessment of development proposals | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Support for Landcare groups and networks as well as farmers and farmer industry groups to promote awareness and adoption of improved land management activities | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Table 3-1: Adaptation actions – agricultural and manufacturing productivity Action Description RE-1 Research development and extension Continue to advocate and provide strategic support to DPI and industry groups such as BCG for on-going research and development that will assist the agricultural industry adapt to the changing climate Hindmarsh role Advocate Other relevant agencies DPI BCG Wimmera Conservation Farming Association Victorian No-Till Farmers Association Landcare RE-2 Streamlining of planning permit approvals Continue implementation of processes to streamline assessment of planning permit applications including educating and encouraging landholders and businesses to bring proposals to a pre-application meeting Lead Neighbouring councils Links to other actions or strategies Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Strategic Plan – Strategic Direction 1 | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | The introduction of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline is expected to provide opportunities for growth and diversification of agriculture and value adding. The secure, quality water supply is a boost to business development and an opportunity for diversification to reduce vulnerability to drought. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | This Adaptation Strategy proposes Council: § Advocate for continued research, development and extension to assist agriculture to adapt to climate change § Continue to streamline planning permit approvals assessment | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Actions highlighted in green are project ready or underway and can be undertaken within current budget. Table 7-1 Action Climate change adaptation actions, responsibility and timeframe for implementation Description Responsibility within Hindmarsh Regional economy RE-1 Research development and extension RE-2 Streamlining of planning permit approvals RE-3 Economic Development Strategy Continue to advocate and provide strategic support to DPI and industry groups such as BCG for on-going research and development that will assist the agricultural industry adapt to the changing climate Continue implementation of processes to streamline assessment of planning permit applications by educating and encouraging landholders and businesses to bring proposals to a pre-application meeting Develop an Economic Development Strategy based on the findings of the Economic Development Position Paper Community Development Implementation timeframe Project ready Budget impact Implementation steps Underway and ongoing Yes Budget neutral Adopt this Climate Change Action Plan Infrastructure services Underway and ongoing Yes Budget neutral Develop material for the Shire website explaining the planning permit application process and the importance of a pre-application meeting Community Development 2 years Yes Budget allocation or grant will be required | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Areas for Action SD1: Suggested Lead Agency (& collaborating partners) Strengthen the Farming Sector’s Capacity to Prosper in a Changing Climate § Analysis of the impacts of different climate change scenarios on the future productivity of the region to enable communities, the industry and individual businesses to plan for the range of eventualities § Use scenario analysis information in AgFutures projects (and other relevant projects) to improve farmer understanding of what climate change will mean for them and expand the number of communities participating in AgFutures § Grains Innovation Park and Birchip Cropping Group expand research and development of frost, drought and disease resistant plant varieties and sustainable farming systems § Support farming sector to adapt enterprises to make best use of water provided through the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline § Promote opportunities for new agricultural investment appropriate to water resource availability and land capability § Provide weather watch radar in the Wimmera Southern Mallee to enable more timely and effective on-farm operations § Development of R&D partnerships with the new Centre for AgriBiosciences to ensure access to leading scientists, technology and facilities to progress regional priorities for agricultural R&D | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Continue to advocate and provide strategic support to Department of Primary Industry and industry groups such as Birchip Cropping Group for on-going research and development that will assist the agricultural industry adapt to the changing climate Continue implementation of processes to streamline assessment of planning permit applications including educating and encouraging landholders and businesses to bring proposals to a pre-application meeting | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Continue to advocate and provide strategic support to DPI and industry groups such as BCG for on-going research and development that will assist the agricultural industry adapt to the changing climate Continue implementation of processes to streamline assessment of planning permit applications including educating and encouraging landholders and businesses to bring proposals to a pre-application meeting | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Current agricultural changes in the Wimmera have been focussed on maximising productivity in a varying climate (i.e. more adaptable and flexible systems) over the past ten years of drought rather than a major shift in farming enterprises. However, there has been accelerated adoption of minimum tillage and other best practice management that have shown their value during this period. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |