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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Grampians Shire Council Recreation and Leisure Strategic Plan | Provide water refill stations at existing and new Council sport and recreation facilities including swimming pools and active recreation reserves. Consider option to provide at same time as other development works at a facility. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | Victoria | Southern Grampians | Regional |
| Southern Grampians Shire Council Recreation and Leisure Strategic Plan | Kitchens / kiosks – if not already undertaken on a regular basis it is recommended that Council officers review kitchens and kiosks to ensure food and beverage compliance with all legal requirements of the relevant authorities including Council Food Standards. Identified works to meet compliance requirements will need to be costed and prioritised in accordance with usage / demand for facility. These inspections should then be programmed regularly to ensure continued compliance, once any issues have been addressed. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Southern Grampians | Regional |
| Spatial plan 2013/2043 | Accommodating population growth through adequate supplies of well planned residential land, providing a variety of housing options to achieve housing choice and affordability. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Wagga Wagga | Regional |
| Spatial plan 2013/2043 | Accommodating population growth through adequate supplies of well planned residential, industrial and business land, providing a variety of housing options to achieve housing choice and affordability. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Wagga Wagga | Regional |
| Spatial plan 2013/2043 | Adequate and affordable housing is available in accessible locations through urban areas | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Wagga Wagga | Regional |
| Spatial plan 2013/2043 | Adequate and affordable housing is available in accessible locations through urban areas. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Wagga Wagga | Regional |
| Spatial plan 2013/2043 | Identify opportunities, in addition to State Government incentives, for affordable housing that respond to community demand. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Wagga Wagga | Regional |
| Spatial plan 2013/2043 | Ongoing commitment to promotion of affordable housing in locations with access to services. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Wagga Wagga | Regional |
| Spatial plan 2013/2043 | We are happy with our standard of living We have access to affordable housing options Actions timeframe Review the potential for student housing in the central business district. Master planning to identify the suitability of areas for residential intensication. Investigations will ensure these areas are consistent with sustainable planning principles, including proximity to existing infrastructure, transport, services and facilities and environmental constraints. Investigate demand for affordable housing through a residential study utilising the NSW ousing ocal overnment ousing it Database. Work with private stakeholders in the redevelopment of key sites. Review Council owned land and its zonings and the potential for future use of land for community benet. hort / medium term Short term Outcomes Dwelling demand for the full range of household types met for both owners and renters. Adequate choice of housing type and location provided. Adequate adaptable housing for people with a disability or the elderly. hort / medium term reuires funding in Long Term Financial Plan edium / long term reuires funding in Long Term Financial Plan Short Term Representative mix of demographics in each suburb or neighbourhood. Decrease in the percentage of households where the mortgage repayments are 30% of household income or greater. Decrease in percentage of households where rent payments are 30% of household income or greater. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Wagga Wagga | Regional |
| Spatial plan 2013/2043 | We are happy with our standard of living We have access to affordable housing options OBJECTIVE Policy Response Ongoing commitment to promotion of affordable housing in locations with access to services. Housing choice can be achieved through a mix of residential zones balanced between greeneld development and redevelopment inll development. Changing demographic patterns, along with Council’s housing approval trends are indicating an increasing demand for smaller dwellings and/or multi unit housing. Council will continue to monitor housing supply and demand to facilitate the provision of a variety of housing options. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Wagga Wagga | Regional |
| Spatial plan 2013/2043 | Land Subdivision in Rural Areas Council’s records indicate a relatively low number of development applications for rural subdivision. The majority of rural subdivision applications have been for farm adjustment purposes, which indicates that rural fragmentation is not occurring at an alarming rate. Gradual fragmentation of rural land is being observed, however the rate of subdivision is fairly stable. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Wagga Wagga | Regional |
| Spatial plan 2013/2043 | Review zonings within proximity to Charles Sturt University to facilitate anticipated growth in agricultural footprint. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Wagga Wagga | Regional |
| Spatial plan 2013/2043 | Rural Zones: The Spatial Plan is inconsistent with this direction as the Plan identifies existing rural land as potential urban land. The inconsistency is minor as the Plan identifies a shortage in supply of residential land and the Plan also protects prime agricultural land. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Wagga Wagga | Regional |
| Spatial plan 2013/2043 | The Spatial Plan suggests several approaches to addressing land demands for urban purposes in the future. The approach allows for a planned growth of existing city centre and villages where demand is likely to outstrip supply and allow for inll development within the city and villages, and permit higher density development. Given the broad constraints and community aspirations, urban expansion could see rural lands surrounding the city and villages gradually transferred to urban uses. Where growth is directed into existing rural areas, this should be a direct extension of existing urban areas and not result in isolated development. Furthermore, development of rural areas should be directed to less productive lands, where agricultural capacity of the land is reduced and minimal environmental constraints exist. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Wagga Wagga | Regional |
| SPECIAL EVENT MANAGEMENT POLICY | It is recommended that the collection and reprocessing of organic material (food scraps, soiled paper/cardboard items, cornstarch products) be undertaken at events where more than 0.5m³ of this waste is generated. The use of mobile worm farms is an option for the on-site collection and reprocessing of organic waste and is a useful educational tool for event participants. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Mosman | Metropolitan |
| SPECIAL EVENT MANAGEMENT POLICY | It is recommended that the collection and reprocessing of organic material (food scraps, soiled paper/cardboard items, cornstarch products) be undertaken at events where more than 0.5m³ of this waste is generated. The use of mobile worm farms is an option for the on-site collection and reprocessing of organic waste and is a useful educational tool for event participants. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Mosman | Metropolitan |
| SPECIAL EVENT MANAGEMENT POLICY | 8.1 Packaging Requirements The types of packaging used in an event will determine what types of waste are produced at an event. By considering the best alternatives for all types of packaging, as well as reducing the amount of packaging used, the amount of waste generated and disposed of at landfill can be reduced. To achieve this, the most important step is to avoid unnecessary packaging in the first place. Consider whether each type of packaging is required, and if it is not, do not purchase or use it, e.g. straws are not often necessary, while ice cream cones are edible and eliminate the need for other types of ice cream containers to be used. The next step is to purchase or use reusable packaging that can either be reused by stall holders and participants or returned to suppliers, e.g. bakery trays can be returned to the supplier, while commemorative reusable wine glasses make a great souvenir for event participants and reduce waste. Discounts for event participants who bring their own food and drink containers etc. is an option to encourage individuals to minimise waste. Following this, purchasing products and packaging that will be recycled at the event and/or contains recycled content is the next best option, e.g. PET soft drink bottles are readily recycled, while many paper products can be purchased that contain recycled content. Where disposal of packaging is unavoidable, biodegradable products such as paper are to be used. Disposable (i.e. non-recyclable) plastic and polystyrene products and packaging are not permitted to be used at special events. These items include but are not limited to: Cups; Food containers; Straws; Stirrers; Cutlery/utensils; and Carry bags. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Mosman | Metropolitan |
| SPECIAL EVENT MANAGEMENT POLICY | Arrangements for the removal and recycling of organic waste where organic waste is to be collected for recycling (not provided by Council) | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Mosman | Metropolitan |
| SPECIAL EVENT MANAGEMENT POLICY | Arrangements for the removal and recycling of organic waste where organic waste is to be collected for recycling. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Mosman | Metropolitan |
| SPECIAL EVENT MANAGEMENT POLICY | Food or beverages are not to be sold in polystyrene containers, and organisers should make every effort to minimise the generation of waste and litter. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Mosman | Metropolitan |
| SPECIAL EVENT MANAGEMENT POLICY | It is recommended that the collection and reprocessing of organic material (food scraps, soiled paper/cardboard items, cornstarch products) be undertaken at events where more than 0.5m³ of this waste is generated. The use of mobile worm farms is an option for the on-site collection and reprocessing of organic waste and is a useful educational tool for event participants. To ensure effective waste and recycling collection systems are implemented, recommendations for the set up of waste and recycling stations are provided below: The collection system should reflect expected waste streams. It is common to have separate collection bins for waste, container (commingled) recycling, paper/cardboard recycling and organic (compostable) waste; | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Mosman | Metropolitan |
| SPECIAL EVENT MANAGEMENT POLICY | Refundable deposits on reusable food ware and drink ware packaging; | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Mosman | Metropolitan |
| SPECIAL EVENT MANAGEMENT POLICY | The preferred materials for necessary packaging listed below are to be used at special events where available. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Mosman | Metropolitan |
| SPECIAL EVENT MANAGEMENT POLICY | Where bin liners are used in organic waste bins these should be made of compostable material such as paper or cornstarch. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Mosman | Metropolitan |
| SPECIAL EVENT MANAGEMENT POLICY | Where the event will involve the participation of temporary food stalls then they must notify NSW Food Authority free online at www.foodnotify.nsw.gov.au or via Council at a cost of $50, comply with the provisions of the NSW Food Act 2003, the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, and with Council’s requirements for temporary food stalls (obtainable from Council’s Environment Health Officer), and may be subject to inspection during the course of the event. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Mosman | Metropolitan |
| SPONSORSHIP POLICY | Additionally, the application must specify how it responds to the themes of Hume Horizons 2040, through meeting the key selection criteria, as outlined below: THEME A well-educated and employed community KEY SELECTION CRITERIA • Capacity to contribute to economic development within Hume City • Provides opportunity for the local business community to be involved • Potential to generate revenue by attracting participants/ spectators from outside the City • Provides opportunities for marketing Hume City to a wider audience A healthy and safe community • Safe, accessible and held in a people-friendly environment • Healthy food options are provided as appropriate | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Hume | Metropolitan |
| SPONSORSHIP POLICY | The type of business or service provided will be considered to ensure it is in keeping with the sponsorship objectives before the offer is made (i.e. a healthy food outlet could be approached for a healthy eating initiative). | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Hume | Metropolitan |
| SPONSORSHIP POLICY | Additionally, the application must specify how it responds to the themes of Hume Horizons 2040, through meeting the key selection criteria, as outlined below: THEME A well-educated and employed community KEY SELECTION CRITERIA • Capacity to contribute to economic development within Hume City • Provides opportunity for the local business community to be involved • Potential to generate revenue by attracting participants/ spectators from outside the City • Provides opportunities for marketing Hume City to a wider audience A healthy and safe community • Safe, accessible and held in a people-friendly environment • Healthy food options are provided as appropriate | Health and Wellbeing | Encourage existing retailers/caterers to sell healthy, sustainable and affordable food | Victoria | Hume | Metropolitan |
| SPORT & | Murrabit Market Site Improvements | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| Sport and Recreation Plan | Drinking fountain | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | Victoria | Wodonga | Regional |