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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dungog Land Use Strategy | 5.4.1 Future Vision By the year 2031 the Tillegra District will be a well managed, attractive and environmentally sustainable tourism locality that provides a sustainable water supply to the Hunter and Central Coast Regions. At the same time it will support a variety of sustainable recreational and tourism options, adjoining viable agricultural lands. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog Land Use Strategy | A study undertaken for the Situation Analysis – the Tillegra Dam Assessment of Recreation and Tourism Potential, outlines major opportunities for the LGA with regard to tourism. The Strategy is predominantly concerned with land use issues that arise as a result of that including; • The poor condition of local roads, and the lack of capacity to accommodate increased traffic, particularly large tourist vehicles such as mobile homes and large caravans • Protecting rural vistas and agricultural scenery from the visual impacts of development | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog Land Use Strategy | Demand for new rural residential and rural dwellings on rural lands, as well as consuming land potentially suitable for agriculture, can lead to pressures on agricultural practices to curb activities which may impact on the amenity of dwellings. This can severely impact on the performance and viability of agricultural practices. contains principles and strategies for minimising land use conflict. above. Selected recommendations from the Mid North Coast Farmland Mapping Project (DoP, 2008), discussed at Section 3.2 above, were further explored in a publication prepared by DPI in partnership with the Southern Cross University and Catchment Management Authority, titled Living and Working in Rural Areas – a handbook for managing land use conflict issues on the NSW North Coast (2007). The Handbook contains strategies for managing and reducing land use conflict and interface issues, which most commonly occur between agricultural practices and neighbouring residents, and it offers solutions which include the use of land use buffers. rural areas by listing potential issues that accompany living in rural areas. It provides ‘food for thought’ for potential residents in It also suggests that Councils may include a ’Notice to Purchasers of Rural Land’ in their Section 149 Planning Certificates which may note the Council’s support to the right for legitimate agricultural practices to operate. There is potential for the principles and strategies contained in this publication to provide similar guidance for Dungog Shire. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog Land Use Strategy | Extensive Agriculture – Section 3.2 • Having regard to the above it is recommended a comprehensive Rural Lands Study be prepared that determines: Whether planning controls should be adopted to prevent lands suitable for beef cattle farming from being subdivided The appropriateness of ‘extensive agriculture’, ‘intensive plant agriculture’ and ‘intensive livestock agriculture’ being included in relevant zones. It may be appropriate to apply uses to separate zones to reflect agricultural capability of the land and the potential amenity impacts of the use on surrounding ‘sensitive’ uses | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog Land Use Strategy | Goal 6: To support the continued viability of agriculture | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog Land Use Strategy | Goal 6: To support the continued viability of agriculture Goal 8: To protect rural vistas and visual amenity Future land uses around the waterbody are aimed at balancing opportunities to strengthen the environmental corridor; stimulate the local economy through recreation and tourism activities; and to continue primary agricultural production. It is the aim of Council’s LEP and Rural Strategy to maintain, protect and prevent fragmentation or alienation of valuable primary production lands into the future and maintain the rural productivity of the LGA as a whole. The Strategy aims to maintain primary agricultural land not being inundated by the Dam, for primary agricultural production. Because not all land purchased by HWC will be required for dam operations, some properties purchased will ultimately be fragmented. Properties affected by such circumstances will require subdivision, resulting in some parcels being under the 60 ha minimum requirement for a dwelling entitlement. Each property will have its own individual circumstances and direct negotiation will be required with Council. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog Land Use Strategy | Having regard to the above it is recommended that a Comprehensive Rural Lands Study be prepared that determines: • Whether planning controls should be adopted to prevent lands suitable for beef cattle farming from being subdivided. • The appropriateness of ‘extensive agriculture’, ‘intensive plant agriculture’ and ‘intensive livestock agriculture’ being included in relevant zones. It may be appropriate to apply uses to separate zones to reflect agricultural capability of the land and the potential amenity impacts of the use on surrounding ‘sensitive’ uses. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog Land Use Strategy | In 2008, a study undertaken by Localplan Pty Ltd to inform the Strategy (refer to Appendix 2) identified a number of sites suitable for potential rural residential development around Dungog; however topography and other constraints greatly limited opportunities. It is believed that providing sufficient rural residential areas will serve to protect the remaining viable rural land and rural vistas. any of the following criteria was rejected: • Containing significant vegetation, including re-growth, either in a large area or adjacent to similar vegetation which could pose a bushfire risk • Is subject to floods (interpolated from contours where studies were not available) or is within 100 m of a river bank • Prominent in the rural landscape or too steep for extensive development • Close to existing uses of potential ‘nuisance’ for residential development • Is part of a large viable agricultural holding | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog Land Use Strategy | In addition to the original purpose and aims of the 2003 Strategy, the Rural Lands component of the Strategy seeks to meet the requirements of the above-mentioned policies and regulations. Furthermore, consistent with the overall vision and goals of the Strategy, this chapter on rural lands seeks to: • Achieve and maintain a sustainable rural economy for Dungog Shire • Maintain the Shire’s rural character and lifestyle • Protect the Shire’s agriculture and its heritage | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | Dungog Shire farmland rate of $2,214 ranked 13th amongst councils and well below the average of $2,590. Furthermore, Dungog Shire ranked 14th in terms of number of farmland assessments with 977 undertaken. Overall we can see that Dungog Shire’s Farmland and Business rates are low relative to the other Group 10 councils. Given the magnitude of agriculture and growth in business in the region, this represents an opportunity to increase the level of rates. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | Ensure that our land use planning for the Shire acknowledges the importance of our rural character and agricultural activities. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | Implement strategies in the Regional Weeds Action Plan. 4.2.2 Property Inspections for new weed incursions 4.2.3 Provision of information in relation to weeds through inspection program, phone enquiries and Councils website. 4.2.4 Local Weeds Committee Partner/s: NSW Agriculture | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | New approved development does not compromise the viability of existing rural and agricultural activities | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | Prepare a Rural Lands Strategy to inform better decisions on highest and best land use for agriculture purposes and to assist with planning for the more marginal land for other uses | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | PROGRAM / ACTIVITY CURRENT ACTIONS 4.4 Public field days and information sessions 4.4.1 Facilitate and partner field days with the LLS and other relevant authorities Partner/s: HCRCMA, NSW Agriculture | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | Council continues its program to renew its timber bridge infrastructure, with a ten year program totalling $12.8 million. The program is funded through $3.7 million capital grants, $6.8 million borrowings and $2.3 million cash reserves. Council will renew 26 load limited timber bridges, to be replaced by new structures in either concrete or steel. The significant cost of maintenance associated with timber bridge assets will be reduced and the bridge infrastructure upgrades will address the need to have load limits, thereby providing economic benefit to the region’s agricultural sector. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | – # of inspections – Percentage of premises inspected – # of complaints – # of penalties and improvement notices issued | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | 11.4 Food Safety | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | 11.4.1 Carry out inspection of all food outlets | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | 11.5.1 Educate staff in food outlets on food hygiene | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | 11.6 Regional Programs for Food Safety | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | 11.6.1 Participation in Hunter Central Coast Regional Food Group and regional programs | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | Identified broadening of diversity in agricultural enterprise | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | Encourage a ‘buy local – sell local’ approach to goods and services | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | Identified broadening of diversity in agricultural enterprise | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| Dungog shire council delivery program 2018-2022 | PROGRAM / ACTIVITY CURRENT ACTIONS 4.4 Public field days and information sessions 4.4.1 Facilitate and partner field days with the LLS and other relevant authorities Partner/s: HCRCMA, NSW Agriculture | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| E C O N O M I C DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | • Facilitating the clustering of compatible businesses (for example airport related industry and food product manufacturing “food hub”) in order to support opportunities associated with shortened supply chains, improved availability of skilled workers, spin-offs and the potential for sharing infrastructure, suppliers, marketing and distribution networks. • Investigate feasibility of establishing a manufacturing food hub (with tourism elements) in the Southern Cross Industrial Estate in proximity to the Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Ballina | Regional |
| E C O N O M I C DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | Prepare an investment prospectus to attract emerging and strategically important industries and talent that take advantage of the shire’s natural endowments and opportunities. Strategically important industries and talent include multimedia and creative arts, webbased entrepreneurs and niche tech industries, tourist facilities, transport and freight logistics and food product manufacturing. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Ballina | Regional |
| E C O N O M I C DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | Enhance lifestyle character of the shire through investment in lifestyle amenities (such as embellishment of coastal assets and waterfalls, CBD civic facilities) and facilitate attractions such as community events (particularly local food events). | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Ballina | Regional |
| E C O N O M I C DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | Facilitate low scale commercial activities in rural areas such as roadside stalls and rural food tourist activities through changes to the land use planning regime. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Ballina | Regional |