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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Vision and Mission | Support and further the strategy for the Mornington Peninsula Produce (MPP) branding and Food Advisory Boards Continuing the implementation of the Local Food Strategy Council has worked with the Food Industry Advisory Body to begin exploring how we can incorporate value added goods into the Mornington Peninsula Produce (MPP) brand. Food that is grown, bred or raised entirely on the peninsula, is identified with the MPP brand. Together with Small Farm Alliance our Economic Development team ran discussion groups for MPP members on topics such as small-scale beef production, organic farming and sustainable agriculture. Showcasing our region and produce to an international market, we accommodated participants and crew from a popular Chinese reality TV show (with up to 80 million viewers). Scenes for the show was shot at numerous locations and featured MPP certified food and wine. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Mornington | Metropolitan |
| Our Vision and Mission | Council was successful in an internal funding bid to develop an Agribusiness, Food and Beverage Strategy that will replace the Local Food Strategy from 2012. The new strategy will provide a broader, long term view of how to develop and support local food industries. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Mornington | Metropolitan |
| Our Vision and Mission | delivering the Taste of the Mornington Peninsula event at Parliament House and successfully gained funding form submissions to Business Victoria and the Western Port Catchment Land Authority. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Mornington | Metropolitan |
| Our Vision and Mission | In partnership with Western Port Catchment Land Network, Council received a Smart Farming Grant of $180,000 to develop, trial and implement new and innovative tools and farm practices. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Mornington | Metropolitan |
| Our Vision and Mission | Provide skills development and support to food economy businesses, including our agriculture, agritourism and valueadded food production sectors Council presented skills development workshops and activities about planning reforms for animal industries, social media marketing and cellar door marketing. Council invited food businesses to participate in a soil carbon demonstration study – two businesses will be chosen from the submissions. We assessed 11 farm management plans associated with building homes on agricultural land in the Green Wedge zone. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Mornington | Metropolitan |
| Our Vision and Mission | Seasonal Worker Program where local agricultural businesses can employ people from Timor-Leste. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Mornington | Metropolitan |
| Our Vision and Mission | Support and further the strategy for the Mornington Peninsula Produce (MPP) branding and Food Advisory Boards Continuing the implementation of the Local Food Strategy Council has worked with the Food Industry Advisory Body to begin exploring how we can incorporate value added goods into the Mornington Peninsula Produce (MPP) brand. Food that is grown, bred or raised entirely on the peninsula, is identified with the MPP brand. Together with Small Farm Alliance our Economic Development team ran discussion groups for MPP members on topics such as small-scale beef production, organic farming and sustainable agriculture. Showcasing our region and produce to an international market, we accommodated participants and crew from a popular Chinese reality TV show (with up to 80 million viewers). Scenes for the show was shot at numerous locations and featured MPP certified food and wine. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Mornington | Metropolitan |
| Our Vision and Mission | Support rural business through networking and industry development In partnership with Western Port Catchment Landcare Network and Western Port and Port Phillip Catchment Management Authority we staged a regenerative farming field day with guest speaker Charles Massey. Also in partnership with Western Port Catchment Landcare Network and the Victorian Farmers Federation we presented a biosecurity field day with six guest speakers talking about the biggest biosecurity risks for local agricultural industries. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Mornington | Metropolitan |
| OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Policy 8/2017-2020 | An application in the form of a letter shall be forwarded at least 28 days before the event to Council indicating the name of the organisation, together with the date/s, location and brief description of goods to be sold e.g. plants, clothing, | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | The Hills Shire | Metropolitan |
| OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Policy 8/2017-2020 | In the case of major events/festivals involving the erection of stages, public road closures, food stalls or fireworks displays, consultation with Council officers and any other relevant agencies prior to the submission of an application will be necessary. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | The Hills Shire | Metropolitan |
| OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Policy 8/2017-2020 | Food facilities for the preparation and sale of food including cooking and/or heating facilities. The details shall comply with the NSW Food Authority’s Food Handling Guidelines for Temporary Events | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | The Hills Shire | Metropolitan |
| OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Policy 8/2017-2020 | No food shall be prepared or cooked on the occupied site. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | The Hills Shire | Metropolitan |
| OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Policy 8/2017-2020 | Street stalls shall only sell sealed pre-packaged food that shall not be or contain potentially hazardous ingredients. Potentially hazardous food means food that has to be kept at a temperature at or above 60°C or at 5°C or below | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | The Hills Shire | Metropolitan |
| OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Policy 8/2017-2020 | The Food Act 2003 also applies in relation to the operation of outdoor activities as food premises. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | The Hills Shire | Metropolitan |
| OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Policy 8/2017-2020 | to minimise the growth of any pathogenic micro-organisms that may be present in the food or to prevent the formation of toxins in the food. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | The Hills Shire | Metropolitan |
| OUTDOOR MARKET OPERATIONS IN PUBLIC PLACES POLICY | Market Management will responsible for ensuring prepared food and ‘drinks’ is provided in reuseable or recyclable containers. The use or sale of plastic bags, balloons or polystyrene products will be strictly prohibited for the dispensing or packaging of sold goods by outdoor market stallholders. Market Management will responsible for ensuring that stallholders’ eating utensils, serviettes, and stirrers are single use and compostable. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Waverley | Metropolitan |
| OUTDOOR MARKET OPERATIONS IN PUBLIC PLACES POLICY | Council authority and inspection All markets will be subject to regular inspections by Council officers to ensure compliance with the provision and conditions of the issued licence and all other relevant government legislation including Occupation, Health and Safety. In addition; a. All food products will be required to be stored, prepared and packaged for sale in strict accordance with the requirements of the NSW Food Act 2003 and the regulations there under. b. All food vendors will be required to hold a current Waverley Council Food Trading approval certificate | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Waverley | Metropolitan |
| OUTDOOR MARKET OPERATIONS IN PUBLIC PLACES POLICY | d. Quality management systems are in place including food handling and storage, waste minimisation practices and customer service | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Waverley | Metropolitan |
| Palerang Rural Lands Strategy | 6.1 SUPPORT BROADSCALE AGRICULTURE ON SUITABLE LAND | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Queanbeyan-Palerang | Regional |
| Palerang Rural Lands Strategy | 6.2 PRINCIPLE TWO: SUPPORT BOUTIQUE AGRICULTURE | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Queanbeyan-Palerang | Regional |
| Palerang Rural Lands Strategy | 9A Strategy Seek to create new rural living and small lot agriculture areas in proximity to existing Queanbeyan-Palerang towns and villages. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Queanbeyan-Palerang | Regional |
| Palerang Rural Lands Strategy | accommodating the significant demand for rural residential development options in close proximity to a major centre , yet protect: • commercial scale farms • biodiversity and landscape quality • water supplies | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Queanbeyan-Palerang | Regional |
| Palerang Rural Lands Strategy | boutique agriculture (except intensive animal) can be undertaken on lots and the produce sold at local markets | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Queanbeyan-Palerang | Regional |
| Palerang Rural Lands Strategy | Defining commercial agriculture and measures to protect it is not simple in an area with the competing land use pressures of the former Palerang LGA. It is inappropriate for Council to set lot size controls based on a ‘full-time income’ from a rural property. Many properties from 100 ha upward make some agricultural contribution as do some smaller ones (less than 100 ha) in areas where land quality is high and where the operator is successful in value adding. However, many properties under about 50 ha 12 would struggle to make any meaningful commercial income from traditional sheep or cattle grazing. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Queanbeyan-Palerang | Regional |
| Palerang Rural Lands Strategy | Encourage rural land being used for food and fibre whilst implementing principle 6 managing environmental assets. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Queanbeyan-Palerang | Regional |
| Palerang Rural Lands Strategy | Ensure an adequate supply of all five categories of rural land use commensurate with the need to conserve agricultural and biodiversity lands. . A | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Queanbeyan-Palerang | Regional |
| Palerang Rural Lands Strategy | Limit additional rural residential development planning proposals in commercial farming catchments so as to conserve run-off. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Queanbeyan-Palerang | Regional |
| Palerang Rural Lands Strategy | Provide a range of options for people to live in a rural environment Background to the principle Interests in rural residential options range from a desire for a dwelling with a small area to have a pony and a large household vegetable garden to a property which can provide part-time agricultural opportunities to substantial properties which are operated on a full-time basis. Five major categories of rural land use types have been identified in the Strategy (refer to Section 5 for detail). • Rural residential o Hamlet o Rural living o Small lot agriculture • Rural • Environmental land | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Queanbeyan-Palerang | Regional |
| Palerang Rural Lands Strategy | Small lot farming warrants priority and there is a need to resolve the lot size option for the broadacre areas to limit the fragmentation of commercial farming land stock. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Queanbeyan-Palerang | Regional |
| Palerang Rural Lands Strategy | Strategy No. 1A Strategy Strategically site urban and rural residential development. Action No. Action 1A1 Unless the land is part of an urban or rural residential strategy, limit the rezoning of rural land or subdivision of properties under 80 ha for urban or rural residential purposes. 1B Encourage rural land being used for food and fibre whilst implementing principle 6 managing environmental assets. 1C Minimise fragmentation of existing agricultural properties with over 80 ha of class 2 to 4 land, but retain some equity with respect to current subdivision potential under the PLEP 1C1 Review community feedback on options for lot sizes and subdivision provisions in the broadacre areas as presented in the Discussion Paper. Prepare a planning proposal if a change in provisions is determined as required by Council is warranted 1D Facilitate economic development related to commercial broadscale agriculture. 1D1 Support agricultural economic development opportunities. Support industry applications for grant/research. 1D2 Utilise Council webpage for promoting commercial agricultural opportunities. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Queanbeyan-Palerang | Regional |