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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOCIAL AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING POLICY – ACTION PLAN | 1.5 kms of a Shopping Centre? Is the site/property | Health and Wellbeing | Accessible healthy food retail | Victoria | Mornington | Metropolitan |
| Social and Affordable Housing Strategy and Action Plan 2018−25 | Strategy and Action Plan The evidence within this Strategy establishes a clear need for action to: facilitate an increase in the supply of affordable housing (social/community housing and affordable private rental), for very low and low-income households and people with specialised needs increase the diversity of dwelling types to respond to population demographics and needs. The Strategy cements Council’s commitment to work collectively with key stakeholders to respond to the evidence of need and Council goal to increase access to appropriate and affordable housing. Targets to respond to this goal that reflect the roles and responsibilities of Council and the objective to work collectively with other stakeholders to address affordable housing need are identified that then drive specific actions and will support reporting and evaluation. Emphasis is placed on actions that align to Council’s roles as leader and advocate, land use planner, social planner, and community developer. The Strategy also provides the evidence base and the strategic context and justification to support Council to progress negotiations with landowners to seek a reasonable contribution being made towards affordable rental housing as a result of a rezoning and planning permits in accordance with new Victorian Government legislation and policy. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Cardinia | Metropolitan |
| Social Health and Wellbeing Profile and Plan | It is recommended that MRC Develop an affordable and appropriate housing plan in collaboration with relevant NSW departments and services Establish formal relationships in the form of a MOU or similar, with local service clubs that support low rental accommodation. Where possible, assist these clubs to expand infrastructure to address need. Review recent studies and respond as required. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Murray River | Regional |
| Social Health and Wellbeing Profile and Plan | Review access to affordable housing | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Murray River | Regional |
| Social Health and Wellbeing Profile and Plan | MRC provides Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) transport, delivered meals, social support and home modifications/home maintenance programs to meet the real and growing level of need amongst older residents and their carers. | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Murray River | Regional |
| Social Health and Wellbeing Profile and Plan | MRC provides the following CHSP programs Community Transport Home Maintenance Home Modifications Meals | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Murray River | Regional |
| Social Health and Wellbeing Profile and Plan | Collaborate with agricultural and horticultural groups to advocate for water security | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | NSW | Murray River | Regional |
| Social Health and Wellbeing Profile and Plan | It is recommended that MRC  Develop an Economic Development Plan in consultation with local business/industry/services and agricultural/horticultural groups | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Murray River | Regional |
| Social Impact Assessment For Significant Residential Developments: Policy & Guidelines | Affordable Housing • Will opportunities for the provision of affordable housing and / or community housing be explore? | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| Social Impact Assessment For Significant Residential Developments: Policy & Guidelines | Housing Strategy The Housing Strategy recognises that housing is a basic and important need; that Council plays and important role in influencing housing outcomes in the City such as quality, diversity, mix, affordability and accessibility; and provides clear policy statements to guide future housing development. In line with State Government policies, Council will continue to promote urban consolidation and housing diversity to ensure that the needs of a changing and diverse population are met. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| Social Impact Assessment For Significant Residential Developments: Policy & Guidelines | Destinations: People need safe, accessible and attractive local destinations (eg: shops, post box, park or activity centres) that are linked to and within walking distance of homes, schools and workplaces, in order to encourage them to be more active. | Health and Wellbeing | Accessible healthy food retail | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| Social Impact Assessment For Significant Residential Developments: Policy & Guidelines | What community services and facilities are available within the neighbourhood – ie within 400 metres radius or 5-10 minutes walking distance (eg. child care centre, kindergartens, schools, health care, access to adequate supply of healthy food, shops, public transport, parks, playgrounds etc)? | Health and Wellbeing | Accessible healthy food retail | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PLANNING POLICY AND GUIDELINES | Affordable Housing How will opportunities for the provision of affordable housing and/or community housing be explored? How will affordable/community housing be managed? Have Environmentally Sustainable Design and Development (ESD) considerations been included to achieve cost effective use of the development over time for occupants and minimise resource use? | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Hume | Metropolitan |
| SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PLANNING POLICY AND GUIDELINES | What community services and facilities are available within the neighbourhood – i.e. within 400 metres radius or 5-10 minutes walking distance (e.g. child care centre, kindergartens, schools, health care, access to adequate supply of healthy food, shops, public transport, parks, playgrounds shared pathways etc.)? | Health and Wellbeing | Accessible healthy food retail | Victoria | Hume | Metropolitan |
| SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PLANNING POLICY AND GUIDELINES | How will the open space/design of the development allow for food growing opportunities? | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Hume | Metropolitan |
| Social Infrastructure (Community) Strategy and Action Plan | 1 aged or disability facility (leased Meals on Wheels) | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| Social Infrastructure (Community) Strategy and Action Plan | 1 Meals on Wheels Service (Concord Meals on Wheels located within Council premises) | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| Social Infrastructure (Community) Strategy and Action Plan | AGED AND DISABILITY FACILITIES A1 – Concord Food Services Building | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| Social Infrastructure (Community) Strategy and Action Plan | Concord Drummoyne Food Services | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| Social Infrastructure (Community) Strategy and Action Plan | Concord Food Services | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| Social Infrastructure (Community) Strategy and Action Plan | Concord Food Services buildings | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| Social Infrastructure (Community) Strategy and Action Plan | Council leases the Concord Food Service Building to Meals and Wheels | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| Social Infrastructure (Community) Strategy and Action Plan | The majority of regional services are located in City of Parramatta or Inner West LGAs and provide outreach services to Canada Bay’s residents. For example, while Canada Bay clients make up approximately 50% of all Commonwealth Home Support clients in the Inner West region all of these services (other than Meals on Wheels) are based in neighbouring LGAs and provide outreach services in the area. | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| Social Infrastructure (Community) Strategy and Action Plan | There are very few regional social services located in the LGA. For example, while Canada Bay clients make up approximately 50% of all Commonwealth Home Support clients in the Inner West region all of these services (other than Meals on Wheels) are based in neighbouring LGAs and provide outreach services in the area. | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| Social Infrastructure (Open Space and Recreation) Strategy and Action Plan | Approach Audit Community gardens provide and facilitate a range of social, recreation and environmental benefits for individuals and communities, including providing a focal point for building social connections between community members, cultures, ages and income groups, and community partnerships. Community gardens play a role in access to food, especially among lower-income and under-served communities, as well as connecting people with the sources of their food. Importantly, they provide access for older people who may have downsized from homes with gardens, and for communities living in high density. Community gardens provide access to outdoor space including opportunities for gentle physical exercise; passive recreation with benefits for mental health; and opportunities for learning in nature, including for children and young people and intergenerational skill-sharing. Furthermore, they may provide opportunities to break down cultural barriers, including through learning about other cultural food traditions. Community gardens work best when championed and self-managed by motivated local community groups. Consideration of soil contamination is important when deciding a location. There are no industry benchmarks for the provision of community gardens. Currently there are 4 community gardens in Canada Bay including one under construction: • Concord Community Centre • Chiswick Community Garden (Blackwall Point Reserve) • Rhodes Community Garden (Hoskins Reserve), and • Rhodes Park 5 Senses Garden. There is also a mobile community garden used to host gardening workshops around the LGA. In the future, Council should work with motivated local community groups to find locations for community gardens, in particular in high density areas. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| Social Infrastructure (Open Space and Recreation) Strategy and Action Plan | Prominent signage, bins, bags, seating, shade and drinking fountains should be provided in all dog off-leash areas | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| Social Infrastructure (Open Space and Recreation) Strategy and Action Plan | Signage, shade, seating and drinking fountains should be provided | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| Social Infrastructure (Open Space and Recreation) Strategy and Action Plan | Action 2.22: Continue to work with motivated local community groups to find locations for community gardens, in particular in high density areas. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| Social Infrastructure (Open Space and Recreation) Strategy and Action Plan | Approach Audit Community gardens provide and facilitate a range of social, recreation and environmental benefits for individuals and communities, including providing a focal point for building social connections between community members, cultures, ages and income groups, and community partnerships. Community gardens play a role in access to food, especially among lower-income and under-served communities, as well as connecting people with the sources of their food. Importantly, they provide access for older people who may have downsized from homes with gardens, and for communities living in high density. Community gardens provide access to outdoor space including opportunities for gentle physical exercise; passive recreation with benefits for mental health; and opportunities for learning in nature, including for children and young people and intergenerational skill-sharing. Furthermore, they may provide opportunities to break down cultural barriers, including through learning about other cultural food traditions. Community gardens work best when championed and self-managed by motivated local community groups. Consideration of soil contamination is important when deciding a location. There are no industry benchmarks for the provision of community gardens. Currently there are 4 community gardens in Canada Bay including one under construction: • Concord Community Centre • Chiswick Community Garden (Blackwall Point Reserve) • Rhodes Community Garden (Hoskins Reserve), and • Rhodes Park 5 Senses Garden. There is also a mobile community garden used to host gardening workshops around the LGA. In the future, Council should work with motivated local community groups to find locations for community gardens, in particular in high density areas. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| Social Infrastructure (Open Space and Recreation) Strategy and Action Plan | Child and Family Needs Strategy (2013) The Child and Family Needs Strategy provided the City of Canada Bay (CCB) with an opportunity to ask two fundamental questions: • How child and family friendly is our community? • What could be done to improve our City from the perspective of children and families? Key relevant indicators and strategies include a focus on: • More affordable programs and services to improve health outcomes and recreation opportunities • Inclusive recreation opportunities and environment for children with disabilities • Involving children in community garden participation | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |