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 Lands Strategy | Direction One: Protect and Enhance Agricultural Land | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Increase Resource Efficiency Action Need 5.1. Transparent decision making Re-establish community trust in government organisations. 5.2. Regularly review legislation and policy • Ensure that there is consistency between Council and State plans and policies. • Allow for innovation and emerging trends to develop in the area. 5.3. Education and compliance • Improve education of the community as to Council’s role. • Establish the benchmark for Council compliance. 5.4. Unified approach Ensure that all government agencies are being consistent when dealing with rural issues. 5.5. Regenerative farming encouraged Improve resilience and yield of agricultural land. Ongoing Ongoing 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. Council, Department of Primary Industries, Office of Environment and Heritage (Environment) and Local Land Services create a working group which discusses matters relevant to the rural environment of CGRC and proposes actions for each organisation to implement or investigate. Ongoing Regenerative farming encouraged through community education online and in newsletters as well as minimisation of red tape for major regeneration works with delays to integrated development along waterways minimised via representation through the working group proposed in Action 5.4. Timeframe Outcome Ongoing 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. Ongoing The LEP and DCP is reviewed every five years as a minimum. Policies and fact sheets are reviewed every two years as a minimum. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Protect and Enhance Agricultural Land Action 1.1. Minimum lot sizes Need Achieve consistency between the LEPs of former Cootamundra and Gundagai Shires as well as allowing for development to occur on land which is already fragmented and in individual ownership. Timeframe Outcome Short term Minimum lot sizes, zoning and associated land uses be implemented in accordance with mapped agricultural land value. This includes the introduction of other Rural and Environmental Zones aside from Primary Production to cater for lands with scenic and environmental values. Measures to provide consistent minimum lot sizes across the LGA are to be supported. Provision of lot sizes that provide maximum opportunity for niche produce and value-add enterprises supported by marketing and branding. Small boutique, intensive and niche farming enterprises are encouraged and supported by appropriate minimum lot sizes based upon the capability of the land on which they are located and the services required. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Short term Allow for trials of small scale agriculture without development consent provided it is not of concern to Council and other agencies. The scale and timeframe must also be agreed to in writing. Some uses and circumstance should be listed in Schedule 2 of the LEP. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | The longstanding 40ha minimum lot size in rural Australia has had minimal impact on the use or conversion of agricultural land within the local area. This is evidenced in the case of the former Gundagai area where this minimum remains. Council will seek to unify the minimum lot size across the LGA and implement a 40ha minimum. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | 3.5. Native plants To allow for flexibility for land owners to innovate when presented with opportunities. | Sustainability and Environment | Agrobiodiversity and wild foods | 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. | Sustainability and Environment | Agrobiodiversity and wild foods | 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. | Sustainability and Environment | Agrobiodiversity and wild foods | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Controls specific to electricity generating works (100kW or greater) be included in the DCP including site maintenance through grazing (this includes providing infrastructure for the sustainment of onsite grazing), fencing and clearance areas along boundaries | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | 4.2. Intermodal/siding at Stockinbingal Take advantage of major infrastructure spending and implementation. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Action 4.2. Intermodal/siding at Stockinbingal Work with ARTC and other relevant authorities to service a potential industrial site at Stockinbingal which is to be zoned as general industrial in the CGRC LEP. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Short term Work with ARTC and other relevant authorities to service a potential industrial site at Stockinbingal which is to be zoned as general industrial in the CGRC LEP. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | 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 | Food supply and food system resilience | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | 3.5. Native plants To allow for flexibility for land owners to innovate when presented with opportunities. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | 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. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | 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. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | NSW | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Regional |
| Rural Lands Strategy | NSW Government Right to Farm Policy The NSW Government has adopted a Right to Farm Policy. The main intent of the policy relates to a desire by farmers to undertake lawful agricultural practices without conflict or interference arising from complaints from neighbours and other land users. The Right to Farm Policy contains a number of actions which aim to:  Strengthen land use planning;  Improve education and awareness;  Ensure current reviews of environmental planning instruments (such as State Environmental Planning Policies and the Standard Instrument Local Environmental Plan) include consideration of options to ensure best land use outcomes and to minimise conflicts; and  Establish a baseline and ongoing monitoring and evaluation for complaints related to farming. Figure 6 – Rural Industry (Duck Farming) This Strategy broadly aligns to the Government’s Right to Farm Policy | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |
| Rural Lands Strategy | There is a need to enhance Camden’s rural economy by identifying potential activities through which Camden Council can support and promote viable and sustainable agriculture. There are a number of agricultural opportunities that may result from the development of the Western Sydney airport. This includes closer proximity to domestic and international markets using air freight that could support and grow certain agricultural sectors such as fresh cut flowers. The University of Sydney (Camden Campus) is Australia’s leading tertiary education provider in Agriculture and Veterinary Science. The Camden Campus is an important asset that should be protected from urban encroachment. Council will work with the University to investigate innovative opportunities for the Camden Campus | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Work with the University of Sydney to investigate innovative opportunities for the Camden Campus. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |
| Rural Lands Strategy | NSW Government Right to Farm Policy The NSW Government has adopted a Right to Farm Policy. The main intent of the policy relates to a desire by farmers to undertake lawful agricultural practices without conflict or interference arising from complaints from neighbours and other land users. The Right to Farm Policy contains a number of actions which aim to:  Strengthen land use planning;  Improve education and awareness;  Ensure current reviews of environmental planning instruments (such as State Environmental Planning Policies and the Standard Instrument Local Environmental Plan) include consideration of options to ensure best land use outcomes and to minimise conflicts; and  Establish a baseline and ongoing monitoring and evaluation for complaints related to farming. Figure 6 – Rural Industry (Duck Farming) This Strategy broadly aligns to the Government’s Right to Farm Policy | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |
| Rural Lands Strategy | P5. Enhance Camden’s Rural Economy | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Prepare informative / educational material for the community about farming impacts and conflicts. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Agricultural productivity relies upon land use planning controls such as zoning and minimum lot sizes to protect land from speculation, inappropriate development and increased land prices. The existing minimum lot sizes are an effective tool to avoid further land fragmentation and minimise and manage land use conflict. Land use conflicts between rural producers and residents surrounding them can be an impediment to agricultural production | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Criteria for Rezoning Proposals The table below outlines a set of guiding criteria to assist in the assessment of planning proposals for rezonings on rural land (outside of the SWGA). The assessment criteria is intended as a guide only and proponents will be subject to the assessment processes that apply to all planning proposals under NSW planning legislation and guidelines. Table 3 – Criteria for Rezoning Proposals | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Investigate potential activities to support and promote viable and sustainable agriculture | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Minimise unplanned nonagricultural development on rural land | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |
| Rural Lands Strategy | Monitor the implementation of the criteria for planning proposals seeking rezonings on rural land (excluding SWPGA) | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |
| Rural Lands Strategy | NSW Government Right to Farm Policy The NSW Government has adopted a Right to Farm Policy. The main intent of the policy relates to a desire by farmers to undertake lawful agricultural practices without conflict or interference arising from complaints from neighbours and other land users. The Right to Farm Policy contains a number of actions which aim to: Strengthen land use planning; Improve education and awareness; Ensure current reviews of environmental planning instruments (such as State Environmental Planning Policies and the Standard Instrument Local Environmental Plan) include consideration of options to ensure best land use outcomes and to minimise conflicts; and Establish a baseline and ongoing monitoring and evaluation for complaints related to farming. Figure 6 – Rural Industry (Duck Farming) This Strategy broadly aligns to the Government’s Right to Farm Policy | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |
| Rural Lands Strategy | P3. Provide certainty and avoid rural land fragmentation | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |
| Rural Lands Strategy | P4. Minimise and manage rural land use conflict | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |