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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | Planning for our Rural Residential Development: How do we plan for development within OUR RURAL RESIDENTIAL AREAS? Minimum Lot Sizes The retention of minimum lot sizes is the most effective means of maintaining landscape quality, preserving agricultural potential and limiting population densities in environmentally/physically constrained lands. Council will maintain minimum lot sizes whilst identifying opportunities for rural residential development in appropriate locations. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Central Coast | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | Protect valuable agricultural land from inappropriate development; | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Central Coast | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | Review rural zones and landuses, considering potential land use conflicts for all activities. The review will also consider priority agricultural lands identified by the Department of Planning & Infrastructure and Department of Primary Industries, to ascertain desirable landuse activities in certain locations which are economically and environmentally sustainable | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Central Coast | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | Review the Hydroponics Chapter of Wyong DCP 2013 to mitigate potential landuse conflicts within future development areas and proposed green corridors identified by the NWSSP | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Central Coast | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | What provisions can be incorporated into our Planning Instruments to ensure planning for OUR AGRICULTURAL LANDS can be met? Wyong LEP 2013 The following measures can be incorporated into Wyong LEP 2013 to improve our planning for agriculture: Wyong LEP 2013 should zone agricultural lands to reflect landuse activities under the provisions of Wyong LEP 2011. It is recommended that the RU1 Primary Production zone be adopted for the protection and promotion of agricultural lands Review rural zones and landuse activities to ensure the consideration of all activities and potential issues. The review will also consider priority agricultural lands identified by the DP&I and Department of Primary Industries, to ascertain desirable landuse activities in certain locations which are economically and environmentally sustainable. Wyong DCP 2013 The following measures can be incorporated into Wyong DCP 2013 to improve our planning for agriculture: Develop or revise a DCP Chapter to address Rural Workers Dwellings and identify appropriate forms of building design and the siting for dwellings on rural landholdings. Develop and implement a Rural Lands DCP Chapter as a future amendment to Wyong DCP 2013 The following Chapters of Wyong DCP 2013 will support Council’s initiatives for agriculture: Rural, Scenic Protection and Conservation Zones Commercial Hydroponics: Chapter to be reviewed to mitigate potential landuse conflicts within future development areas identified by the NWSSP and the Central Coast Regional Conservation Plan proposed Green Corridor. Key Planning Considerations: Key Planning Considerations for OUR AGRICULTURAL LANDS: Ensure the long-term protection of agricultural land and prevent sterilisation of agricultural activities by way of encroaching development. Investigate potential rural residential living opportunities on unconstrained land | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Central Coast | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | Review Wyong DCP 2013 Chapter (Subdivision) to ensure that new subdivisions provide community open space and possible locations for community gardens. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Central Coast | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | Review Wyong DCP 2013 Chapter (Subdivision) to ensure that new subdivisions provide community open space and possible locations for community gardens | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Central Coast | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | Waste Prevention A large proportion of waste generated, such as food waste, could be avoided. Community awareness and education programs may be beneficial in raising awareness of waste management issues and encouraging higher rates of recycling and home composting, | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Central Coast | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | Desalination In response to the drought, Gosford and Wyong Councils developed a range of | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | NSW | Central Coast | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | Alternative Waste Technology (AWT) | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Central Coast | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | Protect the environmental assets of the Loddon Shire, including native vegetation and waterways for their contribution to amenity, tourism value and agriculture. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Loddon | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | Waste Prevention A large proportion of waste generated, such as food waste, could be avoided. Community awareness and education programs may be beneficial in raising awareness of waste management issues and encouraging higher rates of recycling and home composting, | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Central Coast | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | Settlement needs to be planned to protect agricultural activity, and opportunities for new intensive agriculture development proposals. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Loddon | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | Settlement planning will support the efficient use of infrastructure and can minimise impact on the agricultural economy. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Loddon | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | The aim of this strategy is to support vibrant communities in a productive agricultural landscape. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Loddon | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | This strategy aims to support vibrant communities in a productive agricultural landscape | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Loddon | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | This strategy seeks to facilitate population growth and build on existing communities to support their viability and maximise infrastructure investment. This strategy provides for a range of residential forms across the Loddon Shire while also protecting the opportunity for the agricultural sector to readily operate and expand, managing Council’s infrastructure liability and preserving the unique landscape and amenity of Loddon Shire. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Loddon | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | Protect the environmental assets of the Loddon Shire, including native vegetation and waterways for their contribution to amenity, tourism value and agriculture. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Loddon | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | The South West Loddon Pipeline will enhance agricultural viability and opportunities in the south of the municipality. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Loddon | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | The opportunity to operate and expand relatively unhindered is fundamental to the ongoing viability of agriculture. The ability to accommodate intensive animal businesses and the required buffers because there is minimal housing development in the rural areas is a competitive advantage of Loddon Shire. Over the last five years approval has been granted for a number of large intensive poultry, egg and pig production facilities. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Loddon | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | The proximity to Bendigo can be counteracted to some extent through the support and encouragement of local employment options. This can include further development of the tourism and agricultural industry with this being considered in the new Tourism and Economic Development Strategy that is currently being prepared. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Loddon | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | Protect the opportunity for the agricultural sector to operate and expand relatively unhindered as it is the driver of economic growth. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Loddon | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | The opportunity to operate and expand relatively unhindered is fundamental to the ongoing viability of agriculture. The ability to accommodate intensive animal businesses and the required buffers because there is minimal housing development in the rural areas is a competitive advantage of Loddon Shire. Over the last five years approval has been granted for a number of large intensive poultry, egg and pig production facilities. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Loddon | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | The proximity to Bendigo can be counteracted to some extent through the support and encouragement of local employment options. This can include further development of the tourism and agricultural industry with this being considered in the new Tourism and Economic Development Strategy that is currently being prepared. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Loddon | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY | This strategy provides for a range of residential forms across the Loddon Shire while also protecting the opportunity for the agricultural sector to readily operate and expand | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Loddon | Regional |
| SETTLEMENT STRATEGY |  Protect the opportunity for the agricultural sector to operate and expand relatively unhindered as it is the driver of economic growth | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Loddon | Regional |
| Shape 2028 Northern Beaches Community Strategic Plan 2018 – 2028 | Affordable housing stock | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Shape 2028 Northern Beaches Community Strategic Plan 2018 – 2028 | c. Advocate for improved housing affordability | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Shape 2028 Northern Beaches Community Strategic Plan 2018 – 2028 | We have an opportunity to expand housing choice, improve affordability and create vibrant and inclusive communities. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Shape 2028 Northern Beaches Community Strategic Plan 2018 – 2028 | While most concerns regarding housing affordability, health (physical and mental), and social inclusion are beyond the direct control of local government, Council is in a strong position to establish collaborative partnerships at a local level to work towards improving the places where we live, work and play on the Northern Beaches. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |