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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environment Strategy | Minimise threats from livestock grazing and/or recreational uses on Council owned and managed land | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY | Case Study – Onsite composting Through the Better Waste and Recycling Fund, we will trial an innovative onsite composting system at an apartment building to give residents an opportunity to divert food waste and garden vegetation from landfill through onsite composting. The resulting compost can then be used in the apartment complex’s communal gardens. The trial will test an innovative alternative to the traditional approach of collecting kitchen food waste in separate bins or through a composting service. These approaches can be problematic to implement in apartment buildings. As part of the trial, we will measure the kilograms of waste composted and diverted from landfill, determine the contamination rates, and, through consultation, establish participation rates and resident satisfaction. This will guide future policy decisions including development controls for processing facilities in multi-unit developments. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | The Hills Shire | Metropolitan |
| ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY | This is in addition to our long-running provision of compost bins and worm farms to residents at reduced prices | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | The Hills Shire | Metropolitan |
| ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY | Actions • Commence trial of onsite organics waste separation for high density developments. • Seek community feedback on the collection of food waste in existing green lid bins. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | The Hills Shire | Metropolitan |
| ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY | Case Study – Onsite composting Through the Better Waste and Recycling Fund, we will trial an innovative onsite composting system at an apartment building to give residents an opportunity to divert food waste and garden vegetation from landfill through onsite composting. The resulting compost can then be used in the apartment complex’s communal gardens. The trial will test an innovative alternative to the traditional approach of collecting kitchen food waste in separate bins or through a composting service. These approaches can be problematic to implement in apartment buildings. As part of the trial, we will measure the kilograms of waste composted and diverted from landfill, determine the contamination rates, and, through consultation, establish participation rates and resident satisfaction. This will guide future policy decisions including development controls for processing facilities in multi-unit developments. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | The Hills Shire | Metropolitan |
| Environment Strategy | ouncils een eam undetaes activities such as managing wom wams to educe the amount of office-geneated oganic waste eing sent to landfill. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY | We are investigating opportunities to incorporate food for composting into the green-lid organics bin to help reduce waste management costs and the amount of waste going to landfill. This is in addition to our long-running provision of compost bins and worm farms to residents at reduced prices. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | The Hills Shire | Metropolitan |
| Environment Strategy | othe pogams ae initiated at the communit level lie food swaps whee gadenes can echange o donate ecess home gown poduce. uch pogams aim to ceate awaeness and facilitate action in educing waste and using esouces moe efficientl. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY | We respond to local air, water, noise and odour pollution issues to protect the health of the community and manage public health risks associated with food premises, | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | The Hills Shire | Metropolitan |
| Environment Strategy | ouncils een eam undetaes activities such as managing wom wams to educe the amount of office-geneated oganic waste eing sent to landfill. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Environment Strategy | Maintain public drinking water taps provided along High Street and at Botanic Gardens in Mansfield | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | Victoria | Mansfield | Regional |
| Environment Strategy | Future developments should consider environmental impacts, potential impacts on large scale agricultural land and the natural rural amenity that Mansfield Shire is known for. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Mansfield | Regional |
| Environment Strategy | Growth in local agricultural food production in urban/rural fringe areas, particularly on productive alluvial and volcanic soils The number of registered productive food businesses in the Shire has increased by 5% by 2019 | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| Environment Strategy | It is also a member of the Goulburn Broken Greenhouse Alliance and as a member has participated in projects such as: Watts Working Better – Street lighting upgrade project, Electric Vehicle Feasibility Study – Building the case for electric vehicles in Council fleets and Climate Smart Agriculture Development – Identifying agricultural opportunities under a climate changed future. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Mansfield | Regional |
| Environment Strategy | ÔÇß Undertake a review of rural lands to facilitate viable enterprises and to support potential agricultural-related tourism opportunities. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| Environment Strategy | Protect farm land to limit urban spread. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Mansfield | Regional |
| Environment Strategy | Growth in local agricultural food production in urban/rural fringe areas, particularly on productive alluvial and volcanic soils The number of registered productive food businesses in the Shire has increased by 5% by 2019 Participation in farmers markets has increased by 10% by 2019 | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| Environment Strategy | It is also a member of the Goulburn Broken Greenhouse Alliance and as a member has participated in projects such as: Watts Working Better – Street lighting upgrade project, Electric Vehicle Feasibility Study – Building the case for electric vehicles in Council fleets and Climate Smart Agriculture Development – Identifying agricultural opportunities under a climate changed future. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Mansfield | Regional |
| Environment Strategy | Growth in local agricultural food production in urban/rural fringe areas, particularly on productive alluvial and volcanic soils The number of registered productive food businesses in the Shire has increased by 5% by 2019 | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| Environment Strategy | Advocate for changes to State and Federal policy to reduce waste associated with food packaging. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Mansfield | Regional |
| Environment Strategy | Investigate opportunities for more innovative design of rural living subdivisions e.g. that allow for smaller rural ‘lifestyle’ blocks whilst balancing larger scale agricultural practices 6 Support the identification and promotion of appropriate agricultural enterprises suitable for smaller lots (agribusiness) | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| Environment Strategy | The Mitchell Shire Council Economic Development and Tourism Strategy (2010) includes actions to: ÔÇß Proactively target potential growth industries where the Shire has a competitive advantage. Particular opportunities have been identified in the equine industry, health and education sectors, transport, logistics and warehousing, value-added agriculture, viticulture, organic farming, and in new technologies such as solar; and ÔÇß Undertake a review of rural lands to facilitate viable enterprises and to support potential agricultural-related tourism opportunities. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY | 1.4 Benalla Rural City has sustainable and diverse farming systems where environmental concerns such as biodiversity, salinity, erosion and riparian areas are well managed | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY | 1.4 Benalla Rural City has sustainable and diverse farming systems where environmental concerns such as biodiversity, salinity, erosion and riparian areas are well managed. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY | 1.4.1 Council supports sustainable farming practices in the community | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY | 1.4.2. Council supports innovative | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY | 1.4.3. Ensure landholders have | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY | Benalla Rural City Council is a member of the Alliance along with a number of other Councils in the Goulburn Broken catchment, and has been involved in the projects undertaken as part of the Alliance. Projects include: • Development of a regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan, which included involving member Councils in a climate impact risk assessment exercise, identification of risks and actions local governments can take to respond to risks. • Replacement of public street-lights with energy efficient lighting. • Training for staff on climate change impacts and responding to challenges of climate change. • Climate Smart Agriculture – a project that focusses on supporting agricultural enterprises to adapt to climate change through industry transformation. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY | farm plans | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |
| ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY | Benalla Rural City Council is a member of the Alliance along with a number of other Councils in the Goulburn Broken catchment, and has been involved in the projects undertaken as part of the Alliance. Projects include: • Development of a regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan, which included involving member Councils in a climate impact risk assessment exercise, identification of risks and actions local governments can take to respond to risks. • Replacement of public street-lights with energy efficient lighting. • Training for staff on climate change impacts and responding to challenges of climate change. • Climate Smart Agriculture – a project that focusses on supporting agricultural enterprises to adapt to climate change through industry transformation. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Benalla | Regional |