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).
Suggested search terms
Hold Ctrl to select multiple terms. Using ‘any words’ functions as an “OR” search. Using ‘all words’ functions as and “AND” search.
Search Criteria:
| Document title | Relevant text in the policy | Domain | Topic | State | Local Government name | Council type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climate Change | Establish a demonstration of distributed energy generation at Nhill, using local sources of energy to supply the Nhill Hospital, Luv-A-Duck, local silo manufacturers and Lowan Wholefoods | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Incorporate agricultural modelling and socio-economic data from climate scenarios into future Economic Development strategic work | Economic Development | Local food producers | 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. | Economic Development | Local food producers | 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 | Economic Development | Local food producers | 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 | Economic Development | Local food producers | 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. | Economic Development | Local food producers | 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. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | The Wimmera Development Association (WDA) undertook an industry audit of the Wimmera grains industry in 2007. This project was an initiative of the Region’s Grains Industry Cluster Group, which was formed by representatives of Industry, Government and the WDA to identify and develop suitable projects within the context of the State Government’s Regional Innovation Clusters Program (RICP). | Economic Development | Local food producers | 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 | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Hindmarsh | Regional |
| Climate Change | Continual assessment of weed species and extent of infestation. Lobby state and federal government for funds for weed removal. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Shoalhaven | Regional |
| Climate Change | Develop and implement a Sustainable Agricultural Land Use Strategy. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Shoalhaven | Regional |
| Climate Change | Weed invasion threatening agricultural land, tourism and natural areas. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Shoalhaven | Regional |
| Climate Change | 45. Develop a disaster response strategy to ensure timely and effective post disaster food hygiene surveillance. lnteorate outcomes into disolan. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | NSW | Shoalhaven | Regional |
| Climate Change | Develop and implement a Sustainable Agricultural Land Use Strategy. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | NSW | Shoalhaven | Regional |
| Climate Change | 45. Develop a disaster response strategy to ensure timely and effective post disaster food hygiene surveillance. lnteorate outcomes into disolan. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Shoalhaven | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2016 – 2020 | Support food security through community gardens and related local measures, and share information with the community about the likely impacts of climate change on local agricultural production. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Mount Alexander | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2016 – 2020 | Other things like community gardens and energy efficient retrofits are just as important in the background. These projects help define the character of the Shire, and consolidate our reputation as leaders of rural sustainable living. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Mount Alexander | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2016 – 2020 | Other things like community gardens and energy efficient retrofits are just as important in the background. These projects help define the character of the Shire, and consolidate our reputation as leaders of rural sustainable living. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Mount Alexander | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2016 – 2020 | Support food security through community gardens and related local measures, and share information with the community about the likely impacts of climate change on local agricultural production. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Mount Alexander | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2016 – 2020 | Encourage residents to manage their own green waste and organic waste through composting and worm farms. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Mount Alexander | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2016 – 2020 | Households can compost their own organic waste or utilise worm farms. Council provides both compost bins and worm farms at heavily discounted prices. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Mount Alexander | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2016 – 2020 | Other things like community gardens and energy efficient retrofits are just as important in the background. These projects help define the character of the Shire, and consolidate our reputation as leaders of rural sustainable living. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Mount Alexander | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2016 – 2020 | Support food security through community gardens and related local measures, and share information with the community about the likely impacts of climate change on local agricultural production. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Mount Alexander | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2016 – 2020 | Other things like community gardens and energy efficient retrofits are just as important in the background. These projects help define the character of the Shire, and consolidate our reputation as leaders of rural sustainable living. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Mount Alexander | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2016 – 2020 | Support food security through community gardens and related local measures, and share information with the community about the likely impacts of climate change on local agricultural production. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Mount Alexander | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2016 – 2020 | To reduce the amount of organic waste going into the landfill a number of projects proposals are in development. This includes a project to trial in-vessel composting, and a partnership project to implement a bio-digester. By processing organic waste valuable products can be produced such as compost and soil conditioning products, and methane that can be burnt to create heat and/or electricity. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Mount Alexander | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2016 – 2020 | Encourage residents to manage their own green waste and organic waste through composting and worm farms. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Mount Alexander | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2016 – 2020 | Households can compost their own organic waste or utilise worm farms. Council provides both compost bins and worm farms at heavily discounted prices. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Mount Alexander | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2016 – 2020 | Reduction in food waste within municipal waste, and separation of green waste from woody waste. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Mount Alexander | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2016-2020 | Continue to develop and deliver the environmental education program in accordance with the Environmental Education Strategy, the Edendale Environmental Education Strategy and the Edendale Interpretive Plan, including: • energy • biodiversity • local food • water • waste. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |