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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event Guidelines Amendment 2018 | Single use plastic bags are not to be distributed during the event Single use plastic straws must not be used (see Towards Zero Waste Guidelines for alternatives.) Balloons are not to be used at any outdoor event. Polystyrene foam must not be used. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Bayside | Metropolitan |
| Event Management Policy | Food or beverages are not to be sold in polystyrene containers | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Cabonne | Regional |
| Event Management Policy | Where the event will involve the participation of temporary food stalls then they shall comply with the provisions of the relevant Food Acts of NSW and with Council’s requirements for temporary food stalls, and may be subject to inspection during the course of the event. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Cabonne | Regional |
| EVENT s S[D AND f EST V ~LS STR~TEG~ | Corangamite Foodies Feast The fifth annual Foodies Feast was held in 2016, showcasing the quality local produce of the region. In addition to a sit down dinner the event has also run food and cooking workshops and attracts gourmet chefs for a delicious menu of activities. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Corangamite | Regional |
| EVENT s S[D AND f EST V ~LS STR~TEG~ | Heytesbury Agricultural Show Running for over 80 years, the Heytesbury Show is held on the weekend before the Labour Day long weekend. The show attracts over 2,000 visitors with a day of livestock competitions, craft shows and a program of family activities. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Corangamite | Regional |
| EVENT s S[D AND f EST V ~LS STR~TEG~ | Noorat Show One of the largest one day shows in Victoria, the Noorat Show is a family, activity filled day in November that has been showcasing the farming, food and country life of our region since 1932. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Corangamite | Regional |
| EVENT s S[D AND f EST V ~LS STR~TEG~ | Corangamite Foodies Feast The fifth annual Foodies Feast was held in 2016, showcasing the quality local produce of the region. In addition to a sit down dinner the event has also run food and cooking workshops and attracts gourmet chefs for a delicious menu of activities. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Corangamite | Regional |
| EVENT s S[D AND f EST V ~LS STR~TEG~ | Heytesbury Agricultural Show Running for over 80 years, the Heytesbury Show is held on the weekend before the Labour Day long weekend. The show attracts over 2,000 visitors with a day of livestock competitions, craft shows and a program of family activities. Si | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Corangamite | Regional |
| EVENT s S[D AND f EST V ~LS STR~TEG~ | Noorat Show One of the largest one day shows in Victoria, the Noorat Show is a family, activity filled day in November that has been showcasing the farming, food and country life of our region since 1932. Ro | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Corangamite | Regional |
| EVENT s S[D AND f EST V ~LS STR~TEG~ | Our events celebrate our rural way of life, our history, our culture and our community values. We host events that attract visitors for music, sport, food | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Corangamite | Regional |
| EVENT s S[D AND f EST V ~LS STR~TEG~ | Community and Farmers Markets; | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Corangamite | Regional |
| Event Strategy 2025 | Identify specific target industry sectors and associations that build on the strengths of the region e.g. horticulture, agritourism, arts, regional development. Develop data base of business events and professional conference organisers (PCO’s). | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Mildura | Regional |
| Event Strategy 2025 | Immerse yourself in Mildura’s fringe arts scene and savour the famous tastes of Mildura’s local produce, food and wine. The Mildura region delivers on all of Visit Victoria’s leading visitor experiences, including nature-based, cultural, events, food & wine, wineries and aboriginal experiences. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Mildura | Regional |
| Event Strategy 2025 | We will captivate visitor imaginations with events that savour the tastes and culture of one of Australia’s most prolific food producing regions. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Mildura | Regional |
| Event Strategy 2025 | Identify specific target industry sectors and associations that build on the strengths of the region e.g. horticulture, agritourism, arts, regional development. Develop data base of business events and professional conference organisers (PCO’s). | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Mildura | Regional |
| Event Waste Management Policy | c) prohibiting the sale/and or distribution of bottled water. Alternative sources of water should be considered; | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Snowy Monaro | Regional |
| Event Waste Management Policy | 6 Waste Minimisation for Approved Functions and Events The emphasis should be upon waste avoidance and reduction. Where this is not practical the emphasis should be on reuse followed by recycling. Examples could include: a) Event giveaways able to be used, reused then recycled; b) Event promotional material printed on recycled paper; c) Use of electronic communication over paper-based where feasible; d) Use of reusable (or compostable) utensils by caterers. Event organisers are required to promote and practice waste avoidance principles by: a) minimising the amount of waste generated; b) prohibiting the sale and/or distribution of single-use plastic products and single use sachets, polystyrene, plastic bags, plastic straws and/or balloons where possible; | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Snowy Monaro | Regional |
| Event Waste Management Policy | c) prohibiting the sale/and or distribution of bottled water. Alternative sources of water should be considered; | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Snowy Monaro | Regional |
| Event Waste Management Policy | The types of MGBs that will be utilised will depend upon the normal waste and recycling services offered in the location of the event. At a minimum, red-lidded waste non-recycling and yellow-lidded recycling MGBs will be provided. Where it is expected that large quantities of organic waste will be generated then Council’s Resource and Waste Services will consider the provision of green organics MGBs and/or larger skips | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Snowy Monaro | Regional |
| EVENT WASTE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES | WASTE AVOIDANCE TIP – FOOD WASTE If you have leftover food from your event, why not donate it to Oz Harvest? Oz Harvest is a non-denominational charity that rescues excess food which would otherwise be discarded. This excess food is distributed to charities supporting the vulnerable in Sydney. For more information visit www.ozharvest.org | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| EVENT WASTE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES | Plastic water bottles are NOT to be sold or given away during an event; alternative water sources should be sought. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| EVENT WASTE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES | WASTE AVOIDANCE TIP – PUBLIC WATER STATIONS The sale and distribution of bottled water at events is prohibited. Northern Beaches Council provides water bubbler stations in many public areas where events are held. Alternatively, Sydney Water can provide portable drinking water stations at community events. Early booking direct with Sydney Water is required. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| EVENT WASTE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES | Water stations with 100% recyclable paper cups OR encourage event attendees to bring their own reusable water bottle from home | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| EVENT WASTE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES | MANDATORY CONDITIONS To be acknowledged by the event organiser: 1. Existing Council bins in the public space cannot be relied upon to cater for waste or recycling material created by special events. Event organisers must arrange for additional waste and recycling bins to cope with the increased demands of the event. 2. Plastic and polystyrene products and packaging, including drinking cups, food containers, drinking straws and stirrers, cutlery, plates etc must NOT be used or distributed at events. 3. Balloons are NOT to be used, given away or released during events. 4. Plastic water bottles are NOT to be sold or given away during an event; alternative water sources should be sought. 5. Plastic bags are NOT to be used/given away during events. 6. Any products sold or distributed must be reusable, or comprised of biodegradable or recyclable material, with the exception of single-use plastic items, including compostable “bio-plastics”, which are prohibited at events. 7. If stallholders propose to distribute paper cups, manufacturer details must be provided prior to event approval to ensure that the product is recyclable. 8. Promotional materials such as flyers must be printed on recycled paper (80 – 100% post consumer recycled content). 9. No single-use sachets are to be distributed at events e.g. tomato sauce, sugar sachets, salt and pepper sachets, sunscreen sachets or giveaways products such as shampoo sachets. 10. Event organisers are responsible for all costs incurred in relation to waste management associated with the event. 11. The event organisers must provide stallholders with the opportunity to recycle back of house paper and cardboard packaging. 12. After the event, event organisers/event staff must conduct a litter patrol of the site area and remove and correctly dispose of any discarded litter items within the event area. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| EVENT WASTE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES | OTHER ACCEPTABLE MATERIAL Please note recyclable material such as glass bottles and jars, milk and juice cartons, aluminum cans, paper and cardboard and recyclable plastic bottles (excluding bottled water) are acceptable at events. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| EVENT WASTE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES | salt and pepper, sauce sachets Polystyrene and plastic plates, bowls, cutlery etc, including compostable “bio-plastics” Plastic straws Plastic stirrers Plastic bags Sunscreen sachets Bottled water | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| EVENT WASTE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES | WASTE AVOIDANCE SOLUTIONS FOR EVENT ORGANISERS APPROVED Provide bulk shakers or bulk dispensers • Reusable serving-ware such as crockery • Paper & cardboard products e.g. paper serviettes • Biodegradable products e.g. bamboo cutlery and sugarcane plates (Note: compostable “bio-plastics” are single-use plastic and are prohibited) Paper straws Provide paddle pop sticks or other wooden stirrers Calico or paper bag | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| EVENT WASTE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES | WASTE AVOIDANCE TIP – FOOD WASTE If you have leftover food from your event, why not donate it to Oz Harvest? Oz Harvest is a non-denominational charity that rescues excess food which would otherwise be discarded. This excess food is distributed to charities supporting the vulnerable in Sydney. For more information visit www.ozharvest.org | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| EVENT WASTE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES | WASTE AVOIDANCE TIP – PUBLIC WATER STATIONS The sale and distribution of bottled water at events is prohibited. Northern Beaches Council provides water bubbler stations in many public areas where events are held. Alternatively, Sydney Water can provide portable drinking water stations at community events. Early booking direct with Sydney Water is required. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| EVENT WASTE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES | Water stations with 100% recyclable paper cups OR encourage event attendees to bring their own reusable water bottle from home | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |