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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Space Strategy 2016-2025 | Park lighting, bike rack, large park sign, water bubblers, bench seats, shaded picnic tables and shelter, rubbish bins, barbecues | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | Victoria | Surf Coast | Regional |
| Open Space Strategy 2016-2025 | water bubblers, bench seats, rubbish bins | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | Victoria | Surf Coast | Regional |
| Open Space Strategy 2016-2025 | water bubblers, bench seats, shaded picnic tables and shelters, rubbish bins, large picnic nodes with barbecues and additional shelters | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | Victoria | Surf Coast | Regional |
| Open Space Strategy 2016-2025 | community garden activities | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Surf Coast | Regional |
| Open Space Strategy 2016-2025 | Edible landscapes • Supporting urban agriculture (e.g. community gardens) Council recognises the benefits that edible landscapes can provide and has adopted an Edible Landscape Initiative. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Surf Coast | Regional |
| Open Space Strategy 2016-2025 | Established for a range of structured and unstructured activities, community recreation, cultural (current) activities or wellbeing uses. Includes landscaped parklands, play grounds, pocket parks, passive spaces and community gardens | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Surf Coast | Regional |
| Open Space Strategy 2016-2025 | Requests for community use of open space (e.g. developing a community garden) will be assessed by Council against a range of considerations: | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Surf Coast | Regional |
| Open Space Strategy 2016-2025 | community garden activities | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Surf Coast | Regional |
| Open Space Strategy 2016-2025 | Edible landscapes • Supporting urban agriculture (e.g. community gardens) Council recognises the benefits that edible landscapes can provide and has adopted an Edible Landscape Initiative. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Surf Coast | Regional |
| Open Space Strategy 2016-2025 | Established for a range of structured and unstructured activities, community recreation, cultural (current) activities or wellbeing uses. Includes landscaped parklands, play grounds, pocket parks, passive spaces and community gardens | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Surf Coast | Regional |
| Open Space Strategy 2016-2025 | Requests for community use of open space (e.g. developing a community garden) will be assessed by Council against a range of considerations: | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Surf Coast | Regional |
| OPEN SPACE, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES STRATEGY 2019–2036 | Community gardens Council currently provides two community gardens. The Carss Park Community Garden is located on Carwar Avenue, adjacent to the 3Bridges Carss Park Community Centre. It includes a multi-function straw bale shed, four shared garden beds, 20 individual garden beds, four raised mobility garden beds, a frog pond, herb spiral, a variety of orchard trees and rain water tanks. The Hurstville Community Garden is located at the Cross Street Park on Wright Street. It is managed by the Hurstville Community Garden Association, which is a volunteer incorporated association. The Hurstville Community Garden contains a communal area and more than 30 plots. These plots are allocated to residents using a ballot system. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Georges River | Metropolitan |
| OPEN SPACE, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES STRATEGY 2019–2036 | Improve walking and cycling connections between facilities in Hurstville and Woodville Park, Hurstville Oval and Hurstville Community Garden | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Georges River | Metropolitan |
| OPEN SPACE, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES STRATEGY 2019–2036 | Community gardens Council currently provides two community gardens. The Carss Park Community Garden is located on Carwar Avenue, adjacent to the 3Bridges Carss Park Community Centre. It includes a multi-function straw bale shed, four shared garden beds, 20 individual garden beds, four raised mobility garden beds, a frog pond, herb spiral, a variety of orchard trees and rain water tanks. The Hurstville Community Garden is located at the Cross Street Park on Wright Street. It is managed by the Hurstville Community Garden Association, which is a volunteer incorporated association. The Hurstville Community Garden contains a communal area and more than 30 plots. These plots are allocated to residents using a ballot system. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Georges River | Metropolitan |
| OPEN SPACE, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES STRATEGY 2019–2036 | Improve walking and cycling connections between facilities in Hurstville and Woodville Park, Hurstville Oval and Hurstville Community Garden | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Georges River | Metropolitan |
| Opera t i ona l P lan 2019 -2020 | 5.3.2 The diverse housing needs of our community will be met through research, active partnerships and planned development | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Hawkesbury | Metropolitan |
| Opera t i ona l P lan 2019 -2020 | Advocate for the provision of affordable and accessible health care, housing, | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Hawkesbury | Metropolitan |
| Opera t i ona l P lan 2019 -2020 | Building on the work of the Affordable Housing Working Party, investigate affordable rental housing opportunities and partnerships | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Hawkesbury | Metropolitan |
| Opera t i ona l P lan 2019 -2020 | In conjunction with regional stakeholders plan and implement a Regional Housing Strategy | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Hawkesbury | Metropolitan |
| Opera t i ona l P lan 2019 -2020 | Subject to flooding and other constraints, implement the priority actions of the Affordable Housing Working Group, in conjunction with Council’s Human Services Advisory Committee including partnerships to deliver affordable rental housing. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Hawkesbury | Metropolitan |
| Opera t i ona l P lan 2019 -2020 | Produce a Museum publication on the cultural history of food production in the Hawkesbury. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Hawkesbury | Metropolitan |
| Opera t i ona l P lan 2019 -2020 | 1. Planning instruments and other landuse documents to include provisions for agricultural business activities within environmental constraints and strengths of the Hawkesbury. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hawkesbury | Metropolitan |
| Opera t i ona l P lan 2019 -2020 | 5.3.3 Plan for a balance of agriculture, natural environment and housing that delivers viable rural production and maintains rural character. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hawkesbury | Metropolitan |
| Opera t i ona l P lan 2019 -2020 | 5.8.4 Work towards ensuring that all people in our community have access to safe, nutritious, affordable and sustainably produced food. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hawkesbury | Metropolitan |
| Opera t i ona l P lan 2019 -2020 | 5.8.5 Plan for the continuance and growth of agricultural industry uses with in the Hawkesbury. Ope | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hawkesbury | Metropolitan |
| Opera t i ona l P lan 2019 -2020 | Ensure the retention of agricultural lands through relevant planning processes. 2 | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hawkesbury | Metropolitan |
| Opera t i ona l P lan 2019 -2020 | Rating Categories In accordance with Section 514 of the Local Government Act 1993 (Act), each parcel of land within the LGA has been categorised for rating purposes and owners are notified on their annual rate notice. Under Section 554 of the Act all land is rateable unless it is exempt from rating. Sections 555 and 556 of the Act define the categories under which a parcel of land must fall in order to be eligible for exemption from rating. Ratepayers that are eligible under these sections may apply to Council for exemption from rating. The Act also provides for all rateable properties to be categorised into one of four categories of ordinary rates as follows: • • • Mining Category • Farmland Category Residential Category Business Category. For 2019/2020, Council will levy rates on the following categories and sub-categories. Farmland Category This Category includes any parcel of rateable land valued as one assessment and the dominant use of the land is for farming. The farming activity must have a significant and substantial commercial purpose or character and must be engaged in for the purpose of profit on a continuous or repetitive basis (whether or not a profit is actually made). Properties which meet these criteria are categorised as 'Farmland'. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hawkesbury | Metropolitan |
| Opera t i ona l P lan 2019 -2020 | Conduct inspections of food shops, public swimming pools, skin penetration premises and cooling systems in accordance with legislative requirements and relevant Council Policies. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Hawkesbury | Metropolitan |
| Opera t i ona l P lan 2019 -2020 | 5.8.5 Plan for the continuance and growth of agricultural industry uses with in the Hawkesbury. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Hawkesbury | Metropolitan |
| OPERA TIONAL PLAN 2019–2020 2018–2019 | Making a major contribution to this is the volunteers who support vital services including the MOSAIC Centre, the ‘At Home with Willoughby’ program, Meals on Wheels, | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Willoughby | Metropolitan |