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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RURAL LAND USE STRATEGY | In effect this means that the application of planning controls should reflect the primary aim of rural land management in an area, but not proscribe the flexibility to recognise that rural areas are not homogenous. A brief description of the available zones and the criteria for their selection and application is detailed below. 11.1.1 Farming Zone The new State mandated Farming Zone should be applied to the areas currently zoned Rural located in the northern parts of the City, so as to provide ongoing opportunities for agricultural use and development. The Farming Zone should also be applied to the western and southern peripheral rural areas. The basis of the application of the Farming Zone to these areas is the priority of preserving agricultural land for current and future agricultural use, providing opportunities for agricultural activity and maintaining a farmed rural landscape as a setting for the urban areas of Geelong. It also recognises that these rural areas are not offered as part of the settlement strategy for Geelong. Page 55 Greater Geelong Rural Land Use Strategy The stated purposes of the Farming zone as set out in the Victoria Planning Provisions are; To implement the State Planning Policy Framework and the Local Planning Policy Framework, including the Municipal Strategic Statement and local planning policies. To provide for the use of land for agriculture. To encourage the retention of productive agricultural land. To ensure that non-agricultural uses, particularly dwellings, do not adversely affect the use of land for agriculture. To encourage use and development of land based on comprehensive and sustainable land management practices and infrastructure provision. To protect and enhance natural resources and the biodiversity of the area. The overall purposes most closely match the current and preferred future use and development of the City’s northern, western and southern areas. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| RURAL LAND USE STRATEGY | in most cases, for tourism development in rural areas to be supported under this strategy it should be clearly rural in character and not an urban land use, operate in conjunction with the agricultural use of the land and should respect the landscape values | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| RURAL LAND USE STRATEGY | Key strategic directions The key strategic directions of the Geelong Rural Land Use Strategy are: Supporting preservation of the rural-farmed landscape beyond the urban areas for economic, environmental, and community reasons Continuing a planned approach to the rural areas so they are managed to contribute to the City’s overall growth and development Maintaining a distinct separation between urban areas and farming – rural activities Not providing for ad-hoc residential subdivision or use of land in rural areas Only supporting the development of a house on existing vacant lots where it will not compromise the farming – agricultural use of land and the presentation of the landscape Removing the concept that there is a nexus between minimum lot size and ‘viable’ farming units – minimum subdivision sizes are about retaining a rural-farmed landscape and opportunities for productive agricultural use of the land Maintaining the role of rural living through the provision of zoned land and by recognising the use of large rural parcels for lifestyle living associate with the agricultural use of the land Planning for a range of uses that need to be accommodated in rural areas (such as tourism/recreation development, dog keeping and other uses) by requiring buffers to urban areas and rural uses through the application of definitive policy and implementation of location and siting criteria Providing for some new uses and developments in rural areas on the basis that they can demonstrate that they will Support farming and not impose adverse impacts on agricultural use on adjoining and nearby uses Be subservient to the quality of the rural landscape Achieve substantial gains in the environmental condition of an area Meet all their own development costs Be designed and developed to a high quality Be well served by the relevant infrastructure Maintain the overall settlement strategy which reinforces the identity of urban areas, towns and communities and the concept of non-urban breaks between towns | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| RURAL LAND USE STRATEGY | Key Strategies Enhancing rural landscapes Enabling extensive farming | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| RURAL LAND USE STRATEGY | Rural Conservation Zone The Rural Conservation Zone should be applied to the Bellarine Peninsula in recognition of the unique blend of its landscape, environmental and farming values. The basis of the application of this zone to this area is to elevate the role and value of the environment and rural farmed landscape, and identify that agriculture and other activities should operate in this context. Application of this zone will not compromise existing agricultural activity and in some respects it will protect it. New farming activities should be supported where they are environmentally sound and they contribute to the farming landscape. Tourist accommodation proposals that are associated with, and subservient to, the agricultural use and character of the land can also be supported. While the area is seen to be rural and agricultural in character, and the application of the Farming Zone could be seen to achieve a land use and development outcome suited to the location, landscape protection is not a priority of the Farming Zone. The Rural Conservation Zone includes landscape preservation as one of its purposes along with agriculture. The important environmental and landscape values on the Bellarine Peninsula mean that many uses allowed within the Farming Zone could not be considered as suitable in this area. These include intensive animal agricultural operations (eg. poultry farms, piggeries), many of which are industrial in nature. Additionally, the importance of the coastal and wetland environments in this setting would be best recognised through application of the RCZ. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| RURAL LAND USE STRATEGY | rural land will primarily be used for growing produce and raising stock. Markets will determine the commodities produced, and the amount of land engaged, but the planning system should protect opportunities through maintaining land in parcels with productive and management potential and minimising land lost to building development and non agricultural use. Intensive animal industries and other shed based agriculture should be carefully located so that rural and scenic non urban landscapes are preserved. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| RURAL LAND USE STRATEGY | Shed based agriculture such as aquaculture and horticulture offer significant benefit in terms of contribution to the local economy. Such forms of agriculture should be supported but carefully managed in terms of siting so that they do not compromise the landscape objectives of the rural strategy. They should also be sited where they can gain access to existing water and sewer infrastructure. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| RURAL LAND USE STRATEGY | Subdivision and house lot excisions Appropriate rural land subdivision controls need to be based upon the size required to maintain the farmed landscape and provide opportunities for productive agricultural uses. In the Northern Area this size should be 80ha. On the Bellarine Peninsula this size should be 40ha. In the Southern and Western Area this size should be 40ha. These sizes are based on an understanding of the agricultural opportunities in these areas, and the current minimum subdivision sizes. Based on the strategy, house lot excisions are considered inappropriate in Geelong as they; • will result in an increased density of development; • will create a lot that is contrary to the purpose of the zone and the vision for the area; • and the form of farm restructure associated with house lot excisions is highly unlikely to occur due to the value of land and its comparative productive potential. These proposals should be implemented through the zone schedules, and the development of a local planning policy. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| RURAL LAND USE STRATEGY | The City has consistently adopted the approach of maintaining rural landscapes within the context of population growth in urban areas. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| RURAL LAND USE STRATEGY | The Farming Zone should be applied to the areas currently zoned Rural located in the northern parts of the City, so as to provide ongoing opportunities for agricultural use and development. The Farming Zone should also be applied to the western and southern peripheral rural areas. The basis of the application of the Farming Zone to these areas is the priority of preserving agricultural land for current and future agricultural use, providing opportunities for agricultural activity and maintaining a farmed rural landscape as a setting for the urban areas of Geelong. It also recognises that these rural areas are not offered as part of the settlement strategy for Geelong. The Strategy recommends that the Rural Conservation Zone be applied to the Bellarine Peninsula in recognition of the unique blend of its landscape, environmental and farming values. The Rural Conservation Zone includes landscape preservation as one of its purposes along with agriculture. The basis of the application of this zone to this area is to elevate the role and value of the environment and rural farmed landscape, and identify that agriculture and other activities should operate in this context. Application of this zone will not compromise existing agricultural activity and in some respects it will protect it. New farming activities should be supported where they are environmentally sound and they contribute to the farming landscape. Tourist accommodation proposals that are associated with, and subservient to, the agricultural use and landscape character of the area may also be supported. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| RURAL LAND USE STRATEGY | The northern areas of the City comprise landscapes used for cropping, grazing and viticulture. The strategy proposes that this area should be maintained in agricultural use, and opportunities for the use of reclaimed water around Balliang should be protected. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| RURAL LAND USE STRATEGY | The Peninsula retains unique, high quality rural landscapes associated with viticulture, horticulture, cropping and grazing around these towns as a result of previous planning strategies. Consistent with the findings of the Bellarine Peninsula Strategic Plan, this strategy proposes that the unique, high quality rural landscapes of the Bellarine Peninsula be maintained through the ongoing support for agriculture in the rural areas as this rural character of the Bellarine Peninsula is highly valued by local residents and visitors, and is a fundamental part of the liveability and identity of Geelong. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| RURAL LAND USE STRATEGY | the planning system should protect opportunities through maintaining land in parcels with productive and management potential and minimising land lost to building development and non agricultural use. Intensive animal industries and other shed based agriculture should be carefully located so that rural and scenic non urban landscapes are preserved. Agriculture should not compromise the condition of the natural resource base. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Action 5.3. Education and compliance Education of the community regarding Council’s responsibilities and the responsibilities of land owners is targeted through social media, print, radio and Council’s website. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Actions Action 5.1. Transparent decision making Information on legislation and legislative process is readily and easily available to the general public. Plain English fact sheets and opportunities to meet with Council staff are available. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | 2.8. Employment and training Consistency between Council and State plans. Ongoing | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Education of the community regarding Council’s responsibilities and the responsibilities of land owners is targeted through social media, print, radio and Council’s website. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | 4.5. Agribusiness opportunities in industrial areas Achieve consistency between the LEPs of former Cootamundra and Gundagai Shires as well as allowing for development to occur on land as appropriate. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Information on legislation and legislative process is readily and easily available to the general public. Plain English fact sheets and opportunities to meet with Council staff are available. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Action 2.4. Fact sheets and start up packs Create a series of fact sheets on agritourism and regional food development. Couple this with development packs which contain all council forms and other agency contacts for a business to get started. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | 3.5. Native plants To allow for flexibility for land owners to innovate when presented with opportunities. | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Action 2.8. Employment and training Support the implementation of the South West Slopes Regional Economic Development Strategy 2018-2022. Council to sponsor and partner with education providers to run short courses in agriculture and permaculture to capitalise on the “experience economy”. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Action 3.5. Native plants Encourage exploration of endemic flora and fauna as a source of native food, wood and fibre. Look at opportunities for native plants to serve as drought fodder and wind brakes to increase the tree canopy of the LGA, improve water retention and resilience to drought. | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Action 4.5. Agribusiness opportunities in industrial areas Ensure that all industrial zones are open and allow for agribusiness to develop | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Ongoing Encourage exploration of endemic flora and fauna as a source of native food, wood and fibre. Look at opportunities for native plants to serve as drought fodder and wind brakes to increase the tree canopy of the LGA, improve water retention and resilience to drought. | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Create a series of fact sheets on agritourism and regional food development. Couple this with development packs which contain all council forms and other agency contacts for a business to get started. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | 1.5. Land use conflict and biosecurity Reduce land use conflict and promote rural amenity. Ongoing Setbacks for built structures and intensive agriculture development must achieve a minimum setback of 100m from a boundary under different ownership or provide mitigating solutions to reduce the impact on neighbours. Setbacks for built structures and intensive agriculture development must achieve a minimum setback of 100m from a boundary under different ownership or provide mitigating solutions to reduce the impact on neighbours. Where such land adjoins RU4, RU5 or R5 zoned land that setback shall be increased to 500m. Land adjoining rural zones have setback requirements for buildings and strict controls requiring clearance areas for weeds and other pests. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Short term Ensure that all industrial zones are open and allow for agribusiness to develop. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | 1.6. Innovation and enterprise support Ensure that our agricultural holdings and enterprises are as resilient as possible. Ongoing Encouragement of holdings to diversify income streams to better cope with changing social, economic and climatic conditions including an ability to undertake multiple land uses on the same holding be supported in the DCP and through Council policy. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Support the implementation of the South West Slopes Regional Economic Development Strategy 2018-2022. Council to sponsor and partner with education providers to run short courses in agriculture and permaculture to capitalise on the “experience economy”. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |