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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refugee Welcome Zone Action Plan | Community Vegie Gardens on spare land | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Mount Alexander | Regional |
| REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2018–2022 | Leveraging land and water (Agriculture, Aquaculture, Mining) • Complete rural opportunities and land-use strategy | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2018–2022 | Road infrastructure in particular key routes for development (Bucketts Way, Thunderbolt’s Way and The Lakes Way | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2018–2022 | Support development of Region’s workforce | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2018–2022 | • Ensure that policies, procedures and charges are appropriate to support economic development consistent with the vision • Identify and reduce/remove regulatory barriers that hinder business growth | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2018–2022 | The three elements of the Strategies Opportunities Leveraging: Land and water • Agricultural, aquaculture, forestry and mining Infrastructure and location • Freight and logistics, niche manufacturing Lifestyle and amenity • Tourism, retirees and sea/ tree changers | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| REGULATION AND COMPLIANCE POLICY | POLICY SCOPE This policy relates to the regulation of a range of regulatory activities undertaken by Council’s Development and Environment Department. Regulatory activities include, but are not limited to, environmental health, food safety, | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| Related | Residents who wish to grow vegetables on their nature strips as an alternative to landscaping are encouraged to in a sustainable way that protects the surrounding environment. This can be achieved by limiting high inputs such as irrigation, fertilisers or pesticides and ensuring materials used are suitable near gutters and storm water drains. Non-permitted items on nature strips must not be included – see 8.4. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Related | Residents who wish to grow vegetables on their nature strips as an alternative to landscaping are encouraged to in a sustainable way that protects the surrounding environment. This can be achieved by limiting high inputs such as irrigation, fertilisers or pesticides and ensuring materials used are suitable near gutters and storm water drains. Non-permitted items on nature strips must not be included – see 8.4. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Related | Residents who wish to grow vegetables on their nature strips as an alternative to landscaping are encouraged to in a sustainable way that protects the surrounding environment. This can be achieved by limiting high inputs such as irrigation, fertilisers or pesticides and ensuring materials used are suitable near gutters and storm water drains. Non-permitted items on nature strips must not be included | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| RESEARCH SUMMARY Access to adequate and nutritious food in Hobsons Bay | Current Council programs relating to food security also include the delivery of nutritious and culturally appropriate meals to Home And Community Care (HACC) eligible residents; and education programs which provide knowledge about growing your own food. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Hobsons Bay | Metropolitan |
| RESEARCH SUMMARY Access to adequate and nutritious food in Hobsons Bay | Current Council programs relating to food security also include the delivery of nutritious and culturally appropriate meals to Home And Community Care (HACC) eligible residents; and education programs which provide knowledge about growing your own food. | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | Victoria | Hobsons Bay | Metropolitan |
| RESEARCH SUMMARY Access to adequate and nutritious food in Hobsons Bay | continue Council’s My Smart Garden program, as it is an important program to help address food security | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Hobsons Bay | Metropolitan |
| RESEARCH SUMMARY Access to adequate and nutritious food in Hobsons Bay | Current Council programs relating to food security also include the delivery of nutritious and culturally appropriate meals to Home And Community Care (HACC) eligible residents; and education programs which provide knowledge about growing your own food. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Hobsons Bay | Metropolitan |
| RESEARCH SUMMARY Access to adequate and nutritious food in Hobsons Bay | Encouraging home composting is a priority in Council’s Community Greenhouse Strategy 2013–30. This links to the Council’s Waste and Litter Management Plan 2012–17 and the My Smart Garden Program. Implementation of the My Smart Garden program meets goals and objectives outlined in Council’s Environmental Engagement Strategy 2013–18. Business, residents and community groups are key sectors of the community targeted by the strategy. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Hobsons Bay | Metropolitan |
| RESEARCH SUMMARY Access to adequate and nutritious food in Hobsons Bay | Action 4.2 within Council’s Waste and Litter Management Plan 2012–17 seeks to “develop options and consider implications for food waste recovery”. A discussion paper has been written (action 11.1 of the Plan) which outlines some options for Council to consider, including investigating the recovery of food from commercial food businesses and facilitating donations to emergency food relief providers. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Hobsons Bay | Metropolitan |
| RESEARCH SUMMARY Access to adequate and nutritious food in Hobsons Bay | Encouraging home composting is a priority in Council’s Community Greenhouse Strategy 2013–30. This links to the Council’s Waste and Litter Management Plan 2012–17 and the My Smart Garden Program. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Hobsons Bay | Metropolitan |
| research summary | Access to economic resources including income, employment, education and housing understand community needs, establish an evidence base and advocate to state and federal government on issues such as the importance of affordable housing and access to education and training | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Hobsons Bay | Metropolitan |
| research summary | advocate to state government to decrease access to fast food outlets, especially those located in low socioeconomic areas | Health and Wellbeing | Encourage opening of new fresh food outlets; discourage unhealthy outlets | Victoria | Hobsons Bay | Metropolitan |
| research summary | continue to support best practice land use planning by making communities more walkable and increasing fresh fruit and vegetable stores | Health and Wellbeing | Encourage opening of new fresh food outlets; discourage unhealthy outlets | Victoria | Hobsons Bay | Metropolitan |
| research summary | Food security build community capacity to access healthy food through gardening and healthy eating workshops | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Hobsons Bay | Metropolitan |
| research summary | continue to support best practice land use planning by making communities more walkable and increasing fresh fruit and vegetable stores | Health and Wellbeing | Accessible healthy food retail | Victoria | Hobsons Bay | Metropolitan |
| research summary | Food security build community capacity to access healthy food through gardening and healthy eating workshops | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Hobsons Bay | Metropolitan |
| RESIDENTIAL STRATEGY | An integral part of planning for residential growth in Manningham is the need to be resilient to the impacts of climate change, peak oil and food security. In response, high and medium density housing will be focussed around the activity centres where there are employment opportunities and the availability of public transport networks. This will provide an opportunity for people to live near areas where they work and shop. This will be supplemented by an integrated pedestrian and cycling network. Creating these more localised communities will provide affordable living opportunities by reducing people’s dependence on a car and strengthen people’s ‘sense of belonging’ | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |
| RESIDENTIAL STRATEGY | Provide a better range of housing options to respond to the needs of the population specifically: Single person households People aged 55 years and over Younger families aged 25 – 34 years of age to provide | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |
| RESIDENTIAL STRATEGY | Ensure that residential design and construction is ecologically | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |
| RESIDENTIAL STRATEGY | . Ongoing EEP, SP,SC Short EEP, SP ,PV Ongoing EEP, SP Ongoing EEP, SP Ongoing SC Ongoing EEP, SC Ongoing EEP, SC Ongoing EEP, SC | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |
| RESIDENTIAL STRATEGY | 3 STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK 3.1 STRATEGY AIMS The Residential Strategy aims to: | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |
| RESIDENTIAL STRATEGY | Affordable Housing Outcomes to be achieved To encourage a greater range of housing, including smaller detached housing, townhouse development and apartment style development across the municipality at various price points to support lifestyle transition. To set a target of 5% affordable housing outside Doncaster Hill. To advocate to State Government on the need to review planning tools and processes including residential zones and car parking provisions to assist in creating a more integrated and liveable City | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |
| RESIDENTIAL STRATEGY | As well as affordable housing, affordable living opportunities will need to be provided to the community by providing a greater diversity of housing products close to public transport and employment opportunities to minimise the need to own a car. Council’s Affordable Housing Policy (November 2010) has an aspirational target for Doncaster Hill (around 200 dwellings). It is important that an affordable housing target of a minimum of 5% is supported for the rest of Manningham. This is likely to equate to around 150 dwellings | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |