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 Sustainability Prioritisation Strategy | Local food Encourage local food initiatives that reduce the environmental burden associated with producing, transporting, storing and disposing of food. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Tweed | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Prioritisation Strategy | Provide co-mingled food organics and garden organics collection and associated infrastructure for processing organic waste and other suitable waste streams | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Tweed | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Establish filtered public drinking water points in high use public places at Port Fairy, Koroit and Peterborough to reduce reliance on bottled water and raise public awareness | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | Victoria | Moyne | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | First Council to develop a “Biodiversity and Land Capability” study to inform Planning Scheme Amendments to protect biodiversity values and productive agricultural land; | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Moyne | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | 1.2.1 Allow a community garden in two locations within the municipality | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Moyne | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Replace areas of existing high maintenance garden beds/grass at Council offices in Mortlake, Macarthur and Port Fairy with either food plants/trees or low maintenance native plants where possible | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Moyne | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | 1.2.1 Allow a community garden in two locations within the municipality | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Moyne | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Review permits for roadside grazing and cropping to reduce impacts on roadside vegetation and habitats with high conservation value | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Moyne | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Establish filtered public drinking water points in high use public places at Port Fairy, Koroit and Peterborough to reduce reliance on bottled water and raise public awareness | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Moyne | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Develop and implement a plastic bag community education and assistance program in preparation for forthcoming regulation changes by supermarkets and State Government to reduce the use of single-use/light-weight plastic bags. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Baw Baw | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Prepare and provide information to the community and businesses on sustainability, waste reduction, recycling, litter and composting through programs, initiatives and events | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Baw Baw | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Adequate and suitable water is available for homes, industry and agriculture; | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Baw Baw | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Prepare and provide information to the community and businesses on sustainability, waste reduction, recycling, litter and composting through programs, initiatives and events. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Baw Baw | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Develop and implement a plastic bag community education and assistance program in preparation for forthcoming regulation changes by supermarkets and State Government to reduce the use of single-use/light-weight plastic bags. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Baw Baw | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Prepare and provide information to the community and businesses on sustainability, waste reduction, recycling, litter and composting through programs, initiatives and events. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Baw Baw | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | 1. You place your food scraps, prunings and other organic materials in your green organic bin. 5. The compost is used to help fruits, vegetables and gardens (like this one) grow. Your recycled organic compost is helping this garden grow. Ever wondered where your food scraps and green waste go? 4. The heat generated by composting kills bacteria and makes nutrient rich compost. 2. The organic bins are collected and taken to a composting facility. 3. The organic waste is processed in tunnels at high temperature for up to 7 days. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | A ‘Roadside Weed and Pest Animal Control Strategy’ was endorsed by Council in 2015 and areas of infestation have been mapped. Implementation of the strategy aims to ensure weeds and pest animals are systematically managed on roadsides throughout the Shire to reduce threats to native vegetation quality, farmland productivity, landscape values, biodiversity, and waterway habitats. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Climate Smart Agricultural Development Project A collaborative project across the Goulburn Broken Region with the aim of generating and communicating long term data and information to help Councils, land managers and the agricultural sector adapt to climate change. The project developed a mapping tool which considers topography, climate data (temperature and rain fall), soils (ph and texture) and crop requirements for seventeen different commodities. Maps produced will be useful for planning future agricultural activities. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Council has developed and adopted a 5 year roadside weed and pest animal control strategy (2015-2020). This strategy is managing to address Council’s responsibilities for weeds and pest animals on roadsides across the Shire. This is to done to improve native vegetation quality, farm productivity, landscape values, biodiversity and waterway habitats. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Explore opportunities to use and share the tools developed through the Climate Smart Agricultural Development project | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Gecko Clan – a community Landcare Network which supports 19 Landcare groups stretching from Yarrawonga to the Strathbogie Ranges to Nagambie. The Gecko CLaN implements network scale projects around the themes of sustainable agriculture and biodiversity. The Gecko CLaN supports local Landcare groups to carry out projects including sourcing funding, project management and administrative assistance. The Gecko CLaN is proudly independent, but enjoys strong working relationships with government agencies and other community organisations. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Local Government Agricultural Floodplains Reference Group (LGAF) – joint program with Greater Shepparton, Campaspe and GBCMA to support the planning and implementation of measures to address key natural resource management issues across the region. This group plays a critical role in identifying key opportunities for collaboration. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Maintain membership of the Goulburn Broken Local Government Biodiversity Reference Group, Broken Boosey Conservation Management Network and the Local Government Agricultural Floodplains Reference Group. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Seek opportunities to apply the successful model used in the Fruit Industry Employment Program to achieve significant biodiversity outcomes. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Kerbside Organics Service The kerbside organics service has been a major success since it began in Cobram, Yarrawonga, Nathalia and Numurkah in 2014. Almost 2,500 tonnes of organic waste is being turned into compost for reuse on gardens throughout the region. The average contamination rate is around 0.4% which is significantly lower than the state average. It is estimated this initiative will reduce Council greenhouse gas emissions by up to 825tonnes CO2 -e per year. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Climate Smart Agricultural Development Project A collaborative project across the Goulburn Broken Region with the aim of generating and communicating long term data and information to help Councils, land managers and the agricultural sector adapt to climate change. The project developed a mapping tool which considers topography, climate data (temperature and rain fall), soils (ph and texture) and crop requirements for seventeen different commodities. Maps produced will be useful for planning future agricultural activities. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Explore opportunities to use and share the tools developed through the Climate Smart Agricultural Development project | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | 1. You place your food scraps, prunings and other organic materials in your green organic bin. 5. The compost is used to help fruits, vegetables and gardens (like this one) grow. Your recycled organic compost is helping this garden grow. Ever wondered where your food scraps and green waste go? 4. The heat generated by composting kills bacteria and makes nutrient rich compost. 2. The organic bins are collected and taken to a composting facility. 3. The organic waste is processed in tunnels at high temperature for up to 7 days. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Kerbside Organics Service The kerbside organics service has been a major success since it began in Cobram, Yarrawonga, Nathalia and Numurkah in 2014. Almost 2,500 tonnes of organic waste is being turned into compost for reuse on gardens throughout the region. The average contamination rate is around 0.4% which is significantly lower than the state average. It is estimated this initiative will reduce Council greenhouse gas emissions by up to 825tonnes CO2 -e per year. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Fruit Industry Employment Program Award: Finalist 2015 Premier’s Sustainability Awards Former fruit industry workers participated in this program created in response to SPC Ardmona’s 2013 cuts to fruit intake. Initiated by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, Moira Shire joined project partners Greater Shepparton City Council, Parks Victoria and Goulburn-Murray Water. The project was able to get started quickly due to well established relationships between these organisations. The participants received training and developed new skills through their involvement in the project, creating new employment opportunities. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Moira | Regional |