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 Action Plan 2017 | Within the community, action to address climate change is progressing independently of Council. There are community gardens at neighbourhood houses (Riddell’s Creek) and community halls (Newham) which reduce food miles and improve community wellbeing at a local level; | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2017 | A few examples of everyday community climate change action include community gardens (as managed by the Kyneton Transition Hub, and at Riddell’s Creek neighbourhood house), compost bins | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2017 | At the household level, to encourage reduction of organic waste in the wider community, Council currently subsidises the cost of worm farms and compost bins to residents, and conducts workshops regarding their maintenance. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2017 | Council is working to reduce waste from its corporate activities, for example, staff manage worm farms at the Gisborne and Kyneton offices and the Woodend depot to divert food waste from landfill and most Council work sites have receptacles for recyclable materials. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Climate Change Action Plan 2017 | To date Council has focused on informing the community about sustainable living, promoting existing community programs and participating in regional or state-wide projects. This includes promoting the residential solar bulk buy program MASH (More Australian Solar Homes), supporting recycling of household organic waste through worm farming workshops and a rebate program | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Compile, and make available to landholders and investors, information on alternative agricultural enterprises and potentially suitable land uses. Include identification of opportunities and constraints for different enterprises, impacts of climate change on potential enterprises, and gross margin analyses | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Actions Funding 1. Community based food production is prevalent 1.1 Encourage Community support of agriculture. Eg: Buying local; Farmer's markets; Introduction of farm corner alliances; Implementation of a pilot project for a community garden; edible street scape Medium funding required. New Council capacity required, either a committee or new staff member. SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL FUNDING 1.2 Planning controls | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Encourage Community support of agriculture. Eg: Buying local; Farmer's markets; Introduction of farm corner alliances; Implementation of a pilot project for a community garden; edible street scape | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Actions Funding 1. Community based food production is prevalent 1.1 Encourage Community support of agriculture. Eg: Buying local; Farmer's markets; Introduction of farm corner alliances; Implementation of a pilot project for a community garden; edible street scape Medium funding required. New Council capacity required, either a committee or new staff member. SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL FUNDING 1.2 Planning controls | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Encourage Community support of agriculture. Eg: Buying local; Farmer's markets; Introduction of farm corner alliances; Implementation of a pilot project for a community garden; edible street scape | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Introduction of farm corner alliances | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Advocate with relevant farm service providers to improve outreach and services to farmers and to harmonise the needs of existing land owners with potential new farmers through leasing and farm share arrangements | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Compile, and make available to landholders and investors, information on alternative agricultural enterprises and potentially suitable land uses. Include identification of opportunities and constraints for different enterprises, impacts of climate change on potential enterprises, and gross margin analyses. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Compile, and make available to landholders and investors, information on alternative agricultural enterprises and potentially suitable land uses. Include identification of opportunities and constraints for different enterprises, impacts of climate change on potential enterprises, and gross margin analyses | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Encourage Community support of agriculture. Eg: Buying local; Farmer's markets; Introduction of farm corner alliances; Implementation of a pilot project for a community garden; edible street scape | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | providers to improve outreach and services | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Advocate with relevant farm service providers to improve outreach and services to farmers and to harmonise the needs of existing land owners with potential new farmers through leasing and farm share arrangements | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Communitybased food production is prevalent | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Compile, and make available to landholders and investors, information on alternative agricultural enterprises and potentially suitable land uses. Include identification of opportunities and constraints for different enterprises, impacts of climate change on potential enterprises, and gross margin analyses. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Compile, and make available to landholders and investors, information on alternative agricultural enterprises and potentially suitable land uses. Include identification of opportunities and constraints for different enterprises, impacts of climate change on potential enterprises, and gross margin analyses | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Encourage innovative and diversified practices in agriculture and advocate for continued investment in research, development and extension of agricultural techniques | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Encourage innovative and diversified practices in agriculture and advocate for continued investment in research, development and extension of agricultural techniques | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Funding 9.5 As green space assets are scheduled for upgrade or maintenance, renew with drought tolerant species and water saving irrigation designs. 9.6 Role model best practices in energy efficient infrastructure by mandating a high standard of building efficiency for all existing and new Council buildings. Include lifecycle cost analysis for all new buildings and retrofits 9.7 Encourage and support the development of a series of demonstration projects located in new residential/commercial/industrial/agricultural developments, which focus on applying and promoting new technology in water management and resource efficiency. Investigate what would work best by looking at current practices that already exemplify best practice | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | providers to improve outreach and services | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | 1.1 Encourage Community support of agriculture. Eg: Buying local; Farmer's markets; Introduction of farm corner alliances; Implementation of a pilot project for a community garden; edible street scape Medium funding required. New Council capacity required, either a committee or new staff member. SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL FUNDING 1.2 Planning controls ensure there is space provided for future community food gardens 1.3 | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Communitybased food production is prevalent | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Encourage Community support of agriculture. Eg: Buying local; Farmer's markets; Introduction of farm corner alliances; Implementation of a pilot project for a community garden; edible street scape | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Planning controls ensure there is space provided for future community food gardens | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Encourage and support the development of a series of demonstration projects located in new residential/commercial/industrial/ agricultural developments, which focus on applying and promoting new technology in water management and resource efficiency. Investigate what would work best by looking at current practices that already exemplify best practice. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2013-2025 | Funding 9.5 As green space assets are scheduled for upgrade or maintenance, renew with drought tolerant species and water saving irrigation designs. 9.6 Role model best practices in energy efficient infrastructure by mandating a high standard of building efficiency for all existing and new Council buildings. Include lifecycle cost analysis for all new buildings and retrofits 9.7 Encourage and support the development of a series of demonstration projects located in new residential/commercial/industrial/agricultural developments, which focus on applying and promoting new technology in water management and resource efficiency. Investigate what would work best by looking at current practices that already exemplify best practice | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |