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).
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Hold Ctrl to select multiple terms. Using ‘any words’ functions as an “OR” search. Using ‘all words’ functions as and “AND” search.
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| Document title | Relevant text in the policy | Domain | Topic | State | Local Government name | Council type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | LE4 Implement water security measures and support water storage projects to ensure dependable water supplies for local agriculture and the Shire. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| Operational Plan 2019 – 2020 | Adoption of Growth Management Strategy and Commence Implementation of Actions Group Leader Planning Services Throughout 2018-2019, Council has been undertaking work to develop a growth management strategy to help guide the development of buildings that meet the needs of the community. This has included the release of discussion and issues papers reviewing the sustainability of development as well as reviewing options to include more affordable housing models. The new strategy will implement changes that will encourage good development and provide developers with greater certainty around the desires of the Council. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Bellingen | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | NE8 Ensure that natural water resources remain clean and healthy and secure, and that supplies are allocated equitably. Activity Action I2.1 Manage water assets in line with best practice standards. Implement the Water Treatment Works Operational Plan and upgrade Drinking Water Management System. 1. Complete monthly review of operational water monitoring. 2. Complete annual review of drinking water quality. 3. Implement actions of Drinking Water System Improvement Plan. Maintain water supply to Forbes township. Plan for 100% compliance of ADWQ compliance with chemical and microbiological monitoring. Maintain a water supply to Ootha village. Ongoing monitoring of system and routine maintenance and repairs to ensure water is available. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| Operational Plan 2019 – 2020 | % food businesses rated as acceptable | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Bellingen | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | DIRECTION 4 – RURAL AND URBAN LANDUSE Our rural and urban land uses are carefully planned and managed to acknowledge the importance of local agriculture and accommodate growth, diversity and amenity in our town and villages. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | NE1 Provide education and other programs to support the protection and enhancement of biodiversity, responsible land management and sustainable agricultural practices. Activity E1.4 Foster learning about and celebrate the Shire’s natural resources. Action Partner in environmental education programs provided by organisations such as Central West Local Land Services, Landcare and Environment and Waterways Alliance. 1. Attend Landcare and Environment and Waterways meetings and participate in Central West Local Land Services regional initiatives. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | RU1 Ensure that strategic land use planning for the Shire acknowledges the importance of our rural character and agricultural activities. Activity E2.3 Sustainable land use, planning and development. Action Provide a development application pre-lodgement service. Finalise the Floodplain Management Plan and implement the recommendations. 1. Draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan on public exhibition. 2. Adopt Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan. Estimated Completion Date Ongoing – 30 June 2020 30 June 2020 Responsible Officer DPG – DPG | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | RU5 Develop a co-operative approach between government agencies and landholders to identify and preserve prime agricultural land. Activity Action Strategy addressed as part of LE5 (ED1.4). | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL NE1 Provide education and other programs to support the protection and enhancement of biodiversity, responsible land management and sustainable agricultural practices. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL RU1 Ensure that strategic land use planning for the Shire acknowledges the importance of our rural character and agricultural activities. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | The rate structure table below includes the new rates for 2019/2020. GENERAL RATE RATE Residential – Ordinary Residential – Forbes Commercial – Ordinary Commercial – Industrial Commercial – CBD Farmland – Ordinary | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | Community Garden Expense | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | Forbes Riverside Community Gardens – Water Waiver | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | Implement a targeted agribusiness promotional program. 1. Work with surrounding councils and Centroc to deliver outcomes of the RDA Central West regional plan for agribusiness including for issues such as new processors and for water security. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | LE4 Implement water security measures and support water storage projects to ensure dependable water supplied for local agriculture and the Shire. Activity Action Strategy addressed as part of LE1 (ED1.1). | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | LE4 Implement water security measures and support water storage projects to ensure dependable water supplies for local agriculture and the Shire. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | Community Garden Expense | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | Forbes Riverside Community Gardens – Water Waiver | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | Complete capital improvements to Central West Livestock Exchange within business requirements and budget. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | LE5 Ensure the long term viability and growth of our regional livestock exchange. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | LE5 Ensure the long term viability and growth of our regional livestock exchange. Activity Action ED1.2 Efficient commercial management of Central West Livestock Exchange. ED1.4 Influence the protection and enhancement of the agricultural supply chain to increase economic output and sustain employment in the Shire. Implement the Central West Livestock Exchange Operational Plan to budget. Investigate future opportunities for market growth for Central West Livestock Exchange. Undertake Industry profiling and gap analysis of local agricultural sector. 1. Six monthly reports from REMPLAN including consultation with Industry groups and relevant State Government organisations. Engage with other stakeholders to increase agricultural supply chain protections. 1. 2. Initiate at least three contacts with Local Members to lobby for increased agricultural supply chain protections. Initiate at least three contacts with State and Federal Government departments to increase agricultural supply chain protections. 3. Attend the quarterly meeting with the Centroc Economic Development forum. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | Support and value-add to regional strengths, for example: Parkes Regional Airport and Central West Livestock Exchange. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | Undertake maintenance at the Central West Livestock Exchange within budget. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | ED1.4 Influence the protection and enhancement of the agricultural supply chain to increase economic output and sustain employment in the Shire. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | Engage with other stakeholders to increase agricultural supply chain protections. 1. 2. Initiate at least three contacts with Local Members to lobby for increased agricultural supply chain protections. Initiate at least three contacts with State and Federal Government departments to increase agricultural supply chain protections. 3. Attend the quarterly meeting with the Centroc Economic Development forum | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | Ensure that local roads are optimised to allow for better freight movement to farms and distribution points. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| Operational Plan 2019 – 2020 | Day Centre – Meal – Morning Tea Day Centre – Meal – Bingara Day Centre – Meal – Home Delivered – Bingara | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Gwydir | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | IS9 Ensure that local roads are optimised to allow for better freight movement to farms and distribution points. Activity Action ED3.4 Create opportunities for warehousing, freight and distribution to Eastern Seaboard ports/airports. Lobby Government for improved freight corridors. 1. Ongoing participation In Parkes Logistics Hub meetings. 2. Participate in the Newell Highway Taskforce. 3. Initiate a least three contacts with State and Federal Government departments, Local Members and other stakeholders to lobby for improved freight corridors. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| Operational Plan 2019 – 2020 | RATING STRUCTURE Notional Yield ___________________________________________________________ Ordinary General Rates under section 494 of the Local Government Act 1993 Diff Category 10 Farmland 1 Farmland | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Gwydir | Regional |
| OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019 – 2020 | LE4 Implement water security measures and support water storage projects to ensure dependable water supplies for local agriculture and the Shire. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | NSW | Forbes | Regional |