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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Action Plan Annual Update | Worm farms and compost bins provided to the | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Ballina | Regional |
| Environmental Action Plan Annual Update | CC1.3.3 Ensure food premises, public pools and potable water is safe for human use and consumption | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Ballina | Regional |
| Environmental Action Plan Annual Update | Ensure all food premises are audited on a regular basis | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Ballina | Regional |
| Environmental Action Plan Annual Update | Maintain an acceptable level of compliance with health regulations for all food premises Food premises issued with Infringement Notices (Target <5%) | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Ballina | Regional |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | Continue the development and implementation of environmental education at Edendale with a focus on biodiversity, energy, waste, water, farm animal husbandry, urban agriculture, local food and the Edendale visitor experience, linking to relevant frameworks. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | Develop specific environmental education resources and programs on: • saving energy and addressing climate change in Council buildings and operations • installing alternative septic systems including reed beds, worms and planning requirements • better management of existing septic systems • promoting the benefits of local food | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | Edendale, Council’s community environment farm in Eltham, is a key site for the delivery of Council’s environmental education programs and aims to demonstrate best environmental practice in all its operations. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | Laughing Waters Artist-in-Residence program within Parks Victoria bushland Art exhibitions – environmental influences very common at exhibitions Community Art Projects Fringe Focus Newsletter People and community Edendale school and preschool programs focusing on biodiversity, energy, waste, water Healthy Waterways Waterwatch program Composting workshops and composting project Reusable nappy workshop Environmental Events Program Education programs relating to Edendale– biodiversity, energy, waste, water, animal husbandry and sustainable land use Practically Green Festival at Edendale Arbor Week grants Community, schools, residents, community groups Biodiversity Water Energy General sustainability Awakening Discovering Transforming Sustaining Celebrating | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (COUNCIL PLAN) COUNCIL PROGRAM/PROJECT TARGET AUDIENCE SUSTAINABILITY AREA* EFS STAGE^ Environmental events e.g. Clean Up Australia Day and National Tree Day Small projects like the edible garden program at Eltham and Diamond Creek Senior Citizens, art courses with environmental theme and organic cooking OH&S training that includes environmental hazards People and community Edendale, animal husbandry and farm management skills Environmental education activities are included in Council displays at each festival. Sports grounds public place recycling program Teachers’ Environment Network (TEN) Student environment placement with Council Edendale indigenous plant nursery including propagation aligned to planning scheme and volunteer program Community, schools, residents, community groups Biodiversity Waste Water Energy General sustainability Awakening Discovering Transforming Sustaining Celebrating | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | Successful Home Composting Booklet 2011 | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | Continue Council’s Environmental Advisory Committee, Environmental Coordination Group, Agricultural Advisory Committee and Edendale Advisory Committee ensuring that environmental education is incorporated as part of their charters and roles. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | Continue to support sustainable gardening practices within Nillumbik through Sustainable Gardening Australia and the North Eastern Ranges Permaculture Group. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | Small projects like the edible garden program at Eltham and Diamond Creek Senior Citizens | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | Continue to support sustainable gardening practices within Nillumbik through Sustainable Gardening Australia and the North Eastern Ranges Permaculture Group. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | Laughing Waters Artist-in-Residence program within Parks Victoria bushland Art exhibitions – environmental influences very common at exhibitions Community Art Projects Fringe Focus Newsletter People and community Edendale school and preschool programs focusing on biodiversity, energy, waste, water Healthy Waterways Waterwatch program Composting workshops and composting project Reusable nappy workshop Environmental Events Program Education programs relating to Edendale– biodiversity, energy, waste, water, animal husbandry and sustainable land use Practically Green Festival at Edendale Arbor Week grants Community, schools, residents, community groups Biodiversity Water Energy General sustainability Awakening Discovering Transforming Sustaining Celebrating | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | Small projects like the edible garden program at Eltham and Diamond Creek Senior Citizens | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | Edendale, animal husbandry and farm management skills | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | Laughing Waters Artist-in-Residence program within Parks Victoria bushland Art exhibitions – environmental influences very common at exhibitions Community Art Projects Fringe Focus Newsletter People and community Edendale school and preschool programs focusing on biodiversity, energy, waste, water Healthy Waterways Waterwatch program Composting workshops and composting project Reusable nappy workshop Environmental Events Program Education programs relating to Edendale– biodiversity, energy, waste, water, animal husbandry and sustainable land use Practically Green Festival at Edendale Arbor Week grants Community, schools, residents, community groups Biodiversity Water Energy General sustainability Awakening Discovering Transforming Sustaining Celebrating | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | Laughing Waters Artist-in-Residence program within Parks Victoria bushland Art exhibitions – environmental influences very common at exhibitions Community Art Projects Fringe Focus Newsletter People and community Edendale school and preschool programs focusing on biodiversity, energy, waste, water Healthy Waterways Waterwatch program Composting workshops and composting project Reusable nappy workshop Environmental Events Program Education programs relating to Edendale– biodiversity, energy, waste, water, animal husbandry and sustainable land use Practically Green Festival at Edendale Arbor Week grants Community, schools, residents, community groups Biodiversity Water Energy General sustainability Awakening Discovering Transforming Sustaining Celebrating | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | Successful Home Composting Booklet 2011 | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Education Strategy 2012 | LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (COUNCIL PLAN) COUNCIL PROGRAM/PROJECT TARGET AUDIENCE SUSTAINABILITY AREA* EFS STAGE^ Environmental events e.g. Clean Up Australia Day and National Tree Day Small projects like the edible garden program at Eltham and Diamond Creek Senior Citizens, art courses with environmental theme and organic cooking OH&S training that includes environmental hazards People and community Edendale, animal husbandry and farm management skills Environmental education activities are included in Council displays at each festival. Sports grounds public place recycling program Teachers’ Environment Network (TEN) Student environment placement with Council Edendale indigenous plant nursery including propagation aligned to planning scheme and volunteer program Community, schools, residents, community groups Biodiversity Waste Water Energy General sustainability Awakening Discovering Transforming Sustaining Celebrating | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Management | We are leaders in sustainable living and support innovative approaches to resource recovery and the production of renewable energy and food. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Bega | Regional |
| ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT- POLICY – SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FREE EVENTS | Event organisers must play a key role in educating and guiding their event staff and audience on single-use plastic free practices. This includes considering whether single-use plastic items are needed in the first instance, providing useful information, and promoting reusable alternatives. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Upper Hunter Shire | Regional |
| ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT- POLICY – SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FREE EVENTS | Bottled water is not to be provided, sold or distributed. Alternative, free access to water must be provided by Council; | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Upper Hunter Shire | Regional |
| ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT- POLICY – SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FREE EVENTS | Increase availability of water bottle filling stations and bubblers in public spaces | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Upper Hunter Shire | Regional |
| ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT- POLICY – SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FREE EVENTS | P roced u res/Practice Organisations or individuals planning, organising, running and/or approving Council events or events conducted at Council sites must ensure the following event requirements are met: • Single-use plastic bags are not to be used, sold or distributed for transportation or promotional purposes; • Single-use plastic plates, bowls, cups, straws, cutlery and take away food containers are not to be used, sold or distributed; • Bottled water is not to be provided, sold or distributed. Alternative, free access to water must be provided by Council; • Single-use disposable cups and lids are not to be used, sold or distributed; • All avoidable plastic packaging, including cling wrap, plastic bags or similar must not be used in the sale, distribution and transport of food or goods; • Balloons are not to be used, sold or distributed; • Event materials are to be reused where possible (including event signage and promotional banners and flags); • The event site or venue must be left litter free and returned to pre-event conditions; and • Event organisers must play a key role in educating and guiding their event staff and audience on single-use plastic free practices. This includes considering whether single-use plastic items are needed in the first instance, providing useful information, and promoting reusable alternatives. Council officers will support and assist organisations or individuals organising an event to comply with this policy, however, if there is repeated adherence to this policy, officers may recommend that these events not be supported or approved by Council in the future. Events on Council managed land will need to commit to comply with the policy before any Council sponsorship for that event is approved. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Upper Hunter Shire | Regional |
| ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS Doc LOCAL ORDERS POLICY | 3. Provision of adequate wholesome water supply. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Fairfield | Metropolitan |
| ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS Doc LOCAL ORDERS POLICY | 11. Provision of suitable facilities for toilet, kitchen sink, bathing and for washing of clothes with hot and cold water provided. 12. Provision of suitable cooking facilities. | Planning Frameworks | Modify housing/property designs to ensure adequate food storage/preparation areas | NSW | Fairfield | Metropolitan |
| ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS Doc LOCAL ORDERS POLICY | ORDER No. 18 To Do What? Not to keep birds or animals on premises, other than of such kinds, in such numbers or in such manner as specified in the order. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Fairfield | Metropolitan |
| ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY | We recognise the importance of access to fresh, local and sustainably produced food and protecting our fertile and productive lands. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |