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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy ID no: DCF2-CL | Exemptions to this policy may be made for health and safety reasons or where there is no other practical alternative product or distribution method available. All exemptions should have the prior approval of the event organiser within Council, in consultation with the City Change Unit. In the name of transparency, Councillors will be notified of any exemptions and this information will be publicly available. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Policy ID no: DCF2-CL | ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Party/parties Roles and responsibilities Timelines City Change Branch Policy custodian Support implementation through the provision of guidance documents for event organisers/stallholders Monitoring and evaluation Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Cultural Development Branch Support implementation for Festivals Moreland events Support implementation across Arts and Culture and Libraries 2019 Progressive implementation in line with update/renewal of permits, leases, licences and contracts etc Council Facilities Unt Support implementation across Council Citizens Service Centres Support implementation across Council facilities 2019 Progressive implementation in line with update/renewal of permits, leases, licences and contracts etc Civic Protocols Team Support implementation across Civic events 2019 Property Unit Support implementation Progressive implementation in line with update/renewal of permits, leases, licences and contracts etc Youth Services Unit Support implementation Progressive implementation in line with update/renewal of permits, leases, licences and contracts etc Recreation Services Unit Support stakeholder engagement prior to implementation Pending consultation, support implementation 2019/2020 Progressive implementation in line with seasonal and annual ground allocations, renewals to tenancy, lease and contract agreements Aquatic and Leisure Services Support stakeholder engagement prior to implementation Pending consultation, support implementation Progressive implementation in line with lease and contract agreements All other Council Units Support upholding the policy Ongoing | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Policy ID no: DCF2-CL | Sporting clubs, aquatic and leisure centres and facilities managed by contractors (eg: Mechanics Institute managed by Next Wave) are permitted to provide, sell or distribute drinks in single use plastic bottles until stakeholder engagement regarding integration of the Policy within relevant leases, licences and contracts has been resolved. However, they must provide access to drinking water (e.g. water bubblers and/or water jugs and reusable cups) and supply/sell reusable options (e.g. refillable drink bottles, reusable cups etc); and display promotional materials on reusable options. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Policy ID no: DCF2-CL | The move to reduce single-use plastics at Council events began in 2015. Followed by a Council Resolution on 9 March 2016 to ban single-use plastic bags at festivals and events, the Arts and Culture Unit has been working with stallholders to reduce reliance on plastic bags and to ban balloons from their festivals and events. In mid-2018, the Arts and Culture Unit began implementing the ‘plastic wise’ initiative detailed in the Council Plan 2017 – 21 for events managed by their team. This was in line with a Council motion in May 2018 to include plastic wise implementation in the Waste and Litter Strategy 2018. This policy will see the reduction in single-use plastic expand beyond medium and large-scale events/festivals managed by the Festivals Moreland team within Arts and Culture, to all events presented by Council and/or events held on Council land or managed sites that require Council approval, including but not limited to event permits, hire agreements and lease, contract or tenancy agreements. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Policy ID no: DCF2-CL | The policy covers single-use plastic items (including polystyrene) used in purchasing, packaging, sales, distribution, transportation or clean-up practices associated with events and in Council facilities and services. The policy exempts single-use plastic items necessary to meet health and safety requirements, or where there is no other practical alternative product or distribution method available. All exemptions require prior written approval by the event organiser within Council. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Policy ID no: DCF2-CL | The purpose of this policy is to set out Council’s commitment to reducing and eliminating single-use plastic within events run by Council and/or events held on Council land or managed sites that require a permit, and within Council facilities and services. It will address Council’s concern about plastic litter on land, in waterways and the marine environment, and the associated long term environmental damage. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Policy ID no: DCF2-CL | This policy supports the objective to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastic within Moreland, by eliminating single-use plastic at festivals and events and within Council facilities and services, in the broader context of meeting Council’s objective of zero waste to landfill by 2030. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Policy ID no: DCF2-CL | To eliminate the use of single-use plastic in the planning, organising, running or approving of Council events or any events conducted on Council owned or managed sites that require Council approval including but not limited to an event permit, hire agreement, lease, contract or tenancy agreement, and within Council facilities and services, the following requirements must be met: Single-use plastic bags are not to be used, sold or distributed for transportation or promotional purposes; Bottled water is not to be provided, sold or distributed by Council. Alternative, free access to water must be provided; Single-use plastic cups, plates, bowls, cups, straws, cutlery and take away food containers are not to be used, sold or distributed; Single-use disposable cups and lids are not to be used, sold or distributed by Council; All avoidable plastic packaging, including cling wrap, plastic bags or similar must not be used in the purchase, sale, distribution and transport of food or goods; Balloons are not to be used, sold or distributed; Event materials are to be reused where possible (including event signage and promotional banners and flags); The event site or venue must be left litter free and returned to pre-event conditions; and Event organisers are to play a key role in educating and guiding their event staff and audience on single-use plastic free practices. This includes providing information via guidance documents for event organisers and stallholders and promoting reusable alternatives. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Policy ID no: DCF2-CL | Exemptions to this policy may be made for health and safety reasons or where there is no other practical alternative product or distribution method available. All exemptions should have the prior approval of the event organiser within Council, in consultation with the City Change Unit. In the name of transparency, Councillors will be notified of any exemptions and this information will be publicly available. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Policy ID no: DCF2-CL | The policy covers single-use plastic items (including polystyrene) used in purchasing, packaging, sales, distribution, transportation or clean-up practices associated with events and in Council facilities and services. The policy exempts single-use plastic items necessary to meet health and safety requirements, or where there is no other practical alternative product or distribution method available. All exemptions require prior written approval by the event organiser within Council. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Policy No. PL-530-Events Sustainable Events | • Procuring products which are non-toxic and chemical-free. • Procuring products which have low manufacturing carbon footprints. • Preferentially using local, organic, or seasonal produce. • Service providers have sustainability policies to ensure sustainable operations and their own sustainable procurement. • Add to the demand for sustainable products by purchasing them preferably. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Policy No. PL-530-Events Sustainable Events | 4.9 Procurement Purchase decisions are made every day in the pre-production phase of event planning, and the right choices need to be made to manage potential sustainability impacts of procurement. Companies which provide products and services to the event should have their own organisational sustainability policy and are made aware of the event’s sustainability commitments. Making the optimal procurement decisions may need to be a balance between sustainable options, given the circumstances of the event, and availability of solutions. Considerations include: • Resource conservation through purchasing only what is needed in the quantities needed • Store and reuse rather than purchase and discard after a single use. • Choosing products with ethical production and fair labour policies. • Procuring products and services locally to support the local economy and reduce transport impacts. • If not local then to buy Australian-manufactured products made from Australian materials as a first preference. • Procuring products and services which have independent eco-label certification. • Procuring products which are made from sustainably harvested, grown or mined raw materials. • Procuring products which are made through sustainable manufacturing processes. • Procuring products which are made from recycled materials. • | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Policy No. PL-530-Events Sustainable Events | 4.9.1 Prohibition of Eggs Sourced from Caged Chickens Council will not use eggs from caged chickens including but not limited to the following situations: • All future catering arrangements will only be made with caterers who can guarantee that they use free range eggs. • The use of free range eggs will be stipulated in any future tenders or contracts relating to the supply of food in which Council is a party. • Where there is no option but to source food from a vendor who uses caged chicken eggs, “No Eggs” will be Council’s preferred option. Council applauds other Warringah businesses, organisations and households who adopt a similar position to this matter. Council supports any similar motions at the Local Government Association, Shore Regional Organisation of Councils and in any other area in which it may be expected to voice a position, relevant to this matter. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Policy No. PL-530-Events Sustainable Events | 4.6 Waste Waste is created at events through production activities and through attendee interaction with the event. Potential waste is viewed as a valuable resource to be cycled back into the system (recycled, repurposed, composted, turned into energy), rather than as a byproduct of event activities to be discarded. Waste management goals are to: • Reduce the total waste produced • Maximise the diversion of waste to recycling, repurposing or composting These goals are achieved through waste prevention strategies, and through segregating waste to optimise final processing effectiveness and landfill diversion rates. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Policy No. PL-530-Events Sustainable Events | Procuring products that can be recycled, composted or repurposed at their end of life. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Policy: Homelessness | Identify strategies to encourage the provision of affordable housing options | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Byron | Regional |
| Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Waste Strategy: 2017-2024 | Apply for WLRM Love Food Hate Waste funding to educate residents on waste avoidance | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional |
| Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Waste Strategy: 2017-2024 | Expand and improve upon the intended behavioural change program – Love Food Hate Waste Program – with a focus on Cafes and meal events; | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional |
| Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Waste Strategy: 2017-2024 | Media Campaigns • Council has organised media campaigns to educate the community including; o Online videos (green, red and yellow bin educational videos ‘Let’s get waste sorted’) plus, illegal dumping video o TV and radio advertisements o Social media o Council communications and library displays | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional |
| Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Waste Strategy: 2017-2024 | Waste avoidance, with a focus on food waste will be an educational focus for PMHC. Love Food Hate Waste grants will be pursued as a funding source for the campaign. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional |
| Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Waste Strategy: 2017-2024 | WasteInfo Phone App • Personalised bin collection calendar • Guide to three bin system and kitchen bin • A-Z list of waste materials showing which bin they belong to • Hints and tips to help with waste management • Information about Council’s services and waste facilities • ‘Report a problem’ form allowing you to send feedback direct to Council | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional |
| Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Waste Strategy: 2017-2024 | 4. Where Are We Now 4.1 Residential Waste and Resource Recovery Council is offering both residential and commercial waste collection services with residents currently having access to a garbage bin, a comingled recycling bin and a food and garden organics (FOGO) bin. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional |
| Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Waste Strategy: 2017-2024 | 4.1.1 Resident Kerbside Collection System Waste is collected at the kerbside via mobile garbage bins (MGB). Council caters to the different needs of households by providing a number of bin sizes and pick up frequency options for the collection of garbage (red lid bin) and recycling (yellow lid bin) while for FOGO collection is via a 240L green lid bin collected weekly | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional |
| Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Waste Strategy: 2017-2024 | 4.1.3.3 Food and garden organics (FOGO) FOGO collected at the kerbside is processed into compost at the Remondis Organics Resource Recovery Facility (ORRF). Contamination is generally very low, at 2% (Figure 10). | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional |
| Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Waste Strategy: 2017-2024 | 6.2.1 Infrastructure SEPP – Opportunities Council’s position regarding the recovery of waste prior to landfilling is strong given the existence of the Remondis operated ORRF, which processes the domestic kerbside collected FOGO stream and the garden waste delivered from its transfer stations, and the MRF and various drop off streams. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional |
| Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Waste Strategy: 2017-2024 | 6.3.2.1 Operation of the ORRF • Approach KSC and other neighbouring councils when necessary to negotiate regarding the continuance, or revision and renewal, of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the acceptance of its kerbside collected organics for processing at Council’s ORRF. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional |
| Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Waste Strategy: 2017-2024 | A number of significant achievements, listed below, were accomplished during the existing WRM Strategy period while other projects and initiatives, identified in Section 6 were either not fully implemented, or are ongoing, and should carry through. Achievements that will influence and guide the development of the new Waste Strategy include: • Planning, procurement and commencement (on 1 September 2014) of a new kerbside waste, resource and recycling collection contract. The contract provides for: o Expanded compulsory domestic FOGO collection service – supported by the NSW EPA under the Waste Less Recycle More (WLRM) Local Government Organics Collection Systems Program; | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional |
| Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Waste Strategy: 2017-2024 | Apply for WLRM Love Food Hate Waste funding to educate residents on waste avoidance | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional |
| Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Waste Strategy: 2017-2024 | Council put in place several measures to assist residents with the transition to the fortnightly red rubbish collection, including a free recycling upgrade, kitchen bins for households, choice of bin service frequency, and tip vouchers | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional |
| Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Waste Strategy: 2017-2024 | Diversion of FOGO, | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional |