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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOU WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO MA VE MENT ND RA RY RY JANUARY 2014 ST RA TEGY | • Implementing a kerbside collection for household garden and food waste The business case for each of these options is discussed further below. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Hepburn | Regional |
| SOU WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO MA VE MENT ND RA RY RY JANUARY 2014 ST RA TEGY | A number of options for decreasing the amount of waste generation and/or increasing the amount of recycling through the kerbside system are considered as part of this strategy, including: • Reducing the bin size for residual waste • Encouraging the use of compost bins and worm farms for food and garden waste • Getting more recyclables into the recycling bin • Extending the kerbside collection system to the more households • Implementing a kerbside collection for household garden and food waste | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Hepburn | Regional |
| SOU WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO MA VE MENT ND RA RY RY JANUARY 2014 ST RA TEGY | A number of options for decreasing the amount of waste generation and/or increasing the amount of recycling through the kerbside system have been considered as part of this strategy. These have included: • Reducing the bin size for residual waste from 120 litres to 80 litres • Increasing the size of the recycling bin from 240 litres to 360 litres • Encouraging the use of compost bins and worm farms for food and garden waste | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Hepburn | Regional |
| SOU WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO MA VE MENT ND RA RY RY JANUARY 2014 ST RA TEGY | Further investigate the possibility of implementing a food waste avoidance program | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Hepburn | Regional |
| SOU WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO MA VE MENT ND RA RY RY JANUARY 2014 ST RA TEGY | Option 3: Encouraging the use of compost bins and worm farms for food and garden waste Reducing the amount of food waste sent to landfill has dual benefits in reducing costs (based on the current bin audit data food and garden waste make up 36% of household waste sent to landfill) and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the decomposition of this organic waste material in landfill14 . Without a kerbside collection service for household food and garden waste one option is to encourage home composting and/or worm farming of these materials. Council can encourage this activity by providing rebates for compost bins and worm farms and exploring opportunities for bulk procurement. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Hepburn | Regional |
| SOU WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO MA VE MENT ND RA RY RY JANUARY 2014 ST RA TEGY | Option 6: Implementing a kerbside collection for household garden and food waste Organic waste in the form of food and garden waste form a significant component of the kerbside waste stream and can be turned into useful products such as compost or energy if they are collected separately. The option of introducing a third bin for household organic waste for the major towns that currently have a kerbside residual waste service has been considered. Each of these households would be provided with a new 240 litre bin which would be collected fortnightly for organic waste. A kitchen caddy with compostable bags would also be provided to each household to assist with managing food waste from the kitchen area. Based on the current data 36% of the kerbside waste stream is organics. Assuming that 75% of this is diverted to the new organics bin a reduction in waste to landfill of around 540 tpa could be expected. Other key assumptions in assessing this option are that the residual waste collection is moved from weekly to fortnightly and that the cost of processing the collected organics material is less that current landfill costs20 . Preliminary cost modelling of this option indicates a separate organics collection service could be introduced for around an additional cost of $25-30 per household per year. The low percentage of garden waste that appears to be in the kerbside waste stream means that it would not be effective to introduce a third bin for garden waste only. A key constraint to the implementation of this option is that there is no current processor identified that could take the combined food and garden waste material and process it into a useful product. The cities of Ballarat and Bendigo are currently investigating the possibility of jointly tending for processing kerbside organics, with the tender likely to be released in the first half of 2014. Given the quantity of organic material from these cities is substantially greater than HSC it would seem prudent to wait and see if this tender identifies a feasible option for organics processing that HSC could subsequently join. This also provides time for further analysis of the organics composition in the kerbside residual waste to confirm the potential benefits of this option. As an alternative the establishment of a dedicated facility by council was considered, however this appears to be more expensive with preliminary costing estimates indicating this would cost around an additional $45-50 per household per year. It has therefore not been considered any further. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Hepburn | Regional |
| SOU WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO MA VE MENT ND RA RY RY JANUARY 2014 ST RA TEGY | Promote home composting and worm farming of food and garden waste | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Hepburn | Regional |
| SOU WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO MA VE MENT ND RA RY RY JANUARY 2014 ST RA TEGY | promote home composting and worm farming of food and garden waste for households that have a kerbside service through either a rebate or council bulk purchasing | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Hepburn | Regional |
| SOU WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO MA VE MENT ND RA RY RY JANUARY 2014 ST RA TEGY | Promote home composting and worm farming of food and garden waste for households that have a kerbside service through either a rebate or council bulk purchasing | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Hepburn | Regional |
| SOU WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO MA VE MENT ND RA RY RY JANUARY 2014 ST RA TEGY | Proposed Strategy Actions • Further investigate the possibility of implementing a food waste avoidance program | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Hepburn | Regional |
| SOU WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO MA VE MENT ND RA RY RY JANUARY 2014 ST RA TEGY | Reduce GHG emissions A reduction in organic material disposed to landfill Baseline value 220 kg/hh/yr from kerbside Target Value 191 kg/hh/yr without a kerbside organics service 70 kg/hh/yr with a kerbside organics service Key Assumptions Based on 2008 bin audits which indicated 49% organic matter (garden, food and paper/cardboard) and using the 2010/11 figure of 449 kg/hh/yr for kerbside waste generation2 . The baseline and target can be revised if data from new waste audits shows an organics composition significantly different to the 2008 audit. 49% of the total waste to landfill from kerbside 46% without a kerbside organics service Based on the 2008 bin audit and applying the same composition to the transfer station waste stream3 | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Hepburn | Regional |
| SOU WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO MA VE MENT ND RA RY RY JANUARY 2014 ST RA TEGY | Strategy Objective Reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with Council’s waste management activities Proposed Option Option 2: Increasing the size of the recycling bin from 240 litres to 360 litres Option 3: Encouraging the use of compost bins and worm farms for food and garden waste Option 6: Implementing a kerbside collection for household garden and food waste | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Hepburn | Regional |
| SOU WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO MA VE MENT ND RA RY RY JANUARY 2014 ST RA TEGY | Training and education would be provided to participating households to maximise the likelihood of composting and worm farming being undertaking correctly and not becoming anaerobic | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Hepburn | Regional |
| SOU WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO MA VE MENT ND RA RY RY JANUARY 2014 ST RA TEGY | Clunes, Daylesford and Kingston Agricultural Shows • | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Hepburn | Regional |
| SOU WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RCE RECO MA VE MENT ND RA RY RY JANUARY 2014 ST RA TEGY | Waste Avoidance 24 Further investigate the possibility of implementing a food waste avoidance program | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Hepburn | Regional |
| South Gippsland Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | Local sustainable food is available locally 2.2.10 Children who eat min recommended fruit and veg 2.2.11 School canteens with green category foods 2.2.12 School canteens with green category foods cheaper than amber and red 2.2.13 Premium product placement of green category foods in schools, sporting clubs and hospital cafeterias 2.2.14 Settings with healthy food choices clearly promoted 2.2.15 Increase in canteen policies 2.2.16 Number of outlets selling at least 10% of its annual range from food grown in the South Coast 2.2.17 People who ran out of food and could not afford to buy more | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| South Gippsland Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | 2.2 Promote access to healthy and sustainable food and drink choices Increased consumption and availability of water Healthy food options are available in schools and sports canteens and at catered events 2.2.1 Adults who consumed sugar-sweetened beverages daily 2.2.2 No water consumed per day 2.2.3 Number of cups of water consumed per day 2.2.4 Children people who brush their teeth twice daily 2.2.5 Young people who brush their teeth twice daily 2.2.6 Hospital admissions for dental conditions chn 0 – 4 2.2.7 Promotion of water as the beverage of choice 2.2.8 Adults consuming sufficient fruit and vegetables per day 2.2.9 Young people who eat min recommended fruit and veg | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| South Gippsland Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | Healthy and Accessible Food Access to sustainable locally grown food Strategies 2.2 Promote access to healthy and sustainable food and drink choices Outcomes Increased consumption and availability of water Healthy food options are available in school and sports canteens and catered events Local sustainable food is available locally | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| South Gippsland Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | Local sustainable food is available locally 2.2.10 Children who eat min recommended fruit and veg 2.2.11 School canteens with green category foods 2.2.12 School canteens with green category foods cheaper than amber and red 2.2.13 Premium product placement of green category foods in schools, sporting clubs and hospital cafeterias 2.2.14 Settings with healthy food choices clearly promoted 2.2.15 Increase in canteen policies 2.2.16 Number of outlets selling at least 10% of its annual range from food grown in the South Coast 2.2.17 People who ran out of food and could not afford to buy more | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| South Gippsland Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | Local sustainable food is available locally 2.2.10 Children who eat min recommended fruit and veg 2.2.11 School canteens with green category foods 2.2.12 School canteens with green category foods cheaper than amber and red 2.2.13 Premium product placement of green category foods in schools, sporting clubs and hospital cafeterias 2.2.14 Settings with healthy food choices clearly promoted 2.2.15 Increase in canteen policies 2.2.16 Number of outlets selling at least 10% of its annual range from food grown in the South Coast 2.2.17 People who ran out of food and could not afford to buy more | Health and Wellbeing | Dietary guidelinse for external settings | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| South Gippsland Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | 2.2.13 Premium product placement of green category foods in schools, sporting clubs and hospital cafeterias 2.2.14 Settings with healthy food choices clearly promoted | Health and Wellbeing | Restrict unhealthy food advertising; increase healthy food promotion | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| South Gippsland Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | Promotion of water as the beverage of choice | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| South Gippsland Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | 2.2 Promote access to healthy and sustainable food and drink choices Increased consumption and availability of water Healthy food options are available in schools and sports canteens and at catered events 2.2.1 Adults who consumed sugar-sweetened beverages daily 2.2.2 No water consumed per day 2.2.3 Number of cups of water consumed per day 2.2.4 Children people who brush their teeth twice daily 2.2.5 Young people who brush their teeth twice daily 2.2.6 Hospital admissions for dental conditions chn 0 – 4 2.2.7 Promotion of water as the beverage of choice 2.2.8 Adults consuming sufficient fruit and vegetables per day 2.2.9 Young people who eat min recommended fruit and veg | Health and Wellbeing | Partner with sport clubs to provide healthy choices | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| South Gippsland Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | Healthy and Accessible Food Access to sustainable locally grown food Strategies 2.2 Promote access to healthy and sustainable food and drink choices Outcomes Increased consumption and availability of water Healthy food options are available in school and sports canteens and catered events Local sustainable food is available locally | Health and Wellbeing | Partner with sport clubs to provide healthy choices | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| South Gippsland Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | Local sustainable food is available locally 2.2.10 Children who eat min recommended fruit and veg 2.2.11 School canteens with green category foods 2.2.12 School canteens with green category foods cheaper than amber and red 2.2.13 Premium product placement of green category foods in schools, sporting clubs and hospital cafeterias 2.2.14 Settings with healthy food choices clearly promoted 2.2.15 Increase in canteen policies 2.2.16 Number of outlets selling at least 10% of its annual range from food grown in the South Coast 2.2.17 People who ran out of food and could not afford to buy more | Health and Wellbeing | Partner with sport clubs to provide healthy choices | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| South Gippsland Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | Healthy food options are available in schools and sports canteens and at catered events | Health and Wellbeing | Encourage existing retailers/caterers to sell healthy, sustainable and affordable food | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| South Gippsland Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | 2.2.12 School canteens with green category foods cheaper than amber and red | Health and Wellbeing | Use economic measures to encourage affordability/consumption of healthier foods; discourage less healthy foods | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| South Gippsland Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | Strategies 2.2 Promote access to healthy and sustainable food and drink choices Outcomes Increased consumption and availability of water | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| South Gippsland Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | 2.2.16 Number of outlets selling at least 10% of its annual range from food grown in the South Coast | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| South Gippsland Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | Healthy and Accessible Food Access to sustainable locally grown food Strategies 2.2 Promote access to healthy and sustainable food and drink choices Outcomes Increased consumption and availability of water Healthy food options are available in school and sports canteens and catered events Local sustainable food is available locally | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |