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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG | Vibrant and inviting retail centres • Distribute supermarket-based neighbourhood and town centres across the municipality to perform the role of primary food centres for communities. • Consolidate the demand base of individual retail centres by integrating housing where possible. | Health and Wellbeing | Accessible healthy food retail | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG | evelop a housing policy to provide a range of social and affordable housing options. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG | Over 100 people attended a social housing forum in late June 2019 as part of our social housing strategy engagement. The draft report is expected to be open for comment in October 2019. The strategy is being funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG | Promoting healthy eating and supporting active living. Council endorsed the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2018–2021 in October 2018. We continued to reduce sugar-sweetened beverages at City-owned and operated leisure centres. We also continued our work with G21 to promote healthier eating and active living. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG | Creating healthy environments in children’s settings. We actively monitored and promoted immunisation for all children using our early childhood services. We promoted healthy eating in all children settings, supporting and encouraging families. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG | Introduce a rural and peri-urban advisory body to build relationships and foster best practice. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG | We developed and started implementing a Plastic Wise program to reduce single-use plastics at all our events, functions, activities and offices. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG | Food Safety FS4 Health and safety Critical and major non-compliance outcome notifications [Number of critical non-compliance outcome notifications and major non-compliance notifications about a food premises followed up / Number of critical non-compliance outcome notifications and major non-compliance notifications about a food premises] x100 | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG | Food Safety Timeliness Time taken to action food complaints [Number of days between receipt and first response action for all food complaints / Number of food complaints] 2.72 2.64 2.04 1.78 There has been a steady decrease in our complaint response times over the past few years. This is particularly notable given that complaints are increasingly lodged online and on the weekend. 35. The City of Greater Geelong Annual Report 2018–19 SERVICE/INDICATOR/ MEASURE RESULTS 2016 Service standard Food safety assessments [Number of registered class 1 food premises and class 2 food premises that receive an annual food safety assessment in accordance with the Food Act 1984 / Number of registered class 1 food premises and class 2 food premises that require an annual food safety assessment in accordance with the Food Act 1984] x100 Service cost Cost of food safety service [Direct cost of the food safety service / Number of food premises registered or notified in accordance with the Food Act 1984] Health and safety Critical and major noncompliance outcome notifications [Number of critical noncompliance outcome notifications and major non-compliance notifications about a food premises followed up / Number of critical non-compliance outcome notifications and major non-compliance notifications about a food premises] x100 | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| The Clarence 2027, our community strategic plan. | Agriculture expansion | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Clarence Valley | Regional |
| The Clarence 2027, our community strategic plan. | • regional livestock saleyards | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Clarence Valley | Regional |
| The Clarence 2027, our community strategic plan. | Agriculture expansion | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Clarence Valley | Regional |
| The Clarence 2027, our community strategic plan. | • 1.4.2 Encourages the supply of affordable and appropriate housing | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Clarence Valley | Regional |
| The Clarence 2027, our community strategic plan. | • 4.2.4 With our partners, promote and encourage sustainable and innovative agricultural practices | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Clarence Valley | Regional |
| The Clarence 2027, our community strategic plan. | • regional livestock saleyards | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Clarence Valley | Regional |
| The Clarence 2027, our community strategic plan. | Food processing facility | Sustainability and Environment | Local, sustainable food processing | NSW | Clarence Valley | Regional |
| The Clarence 2027, our community strategic plan. | Food safety in local eateries and restaurants | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Clarence Valley | Regional |
| The community’s plan for our future Imagine 2030 | • Affordable and diverse housing | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Greater Dandenong | Metropolitan |
| The community’s plan for our future Imagine 2030 | Tourism and visitors Diverse and interesting experiences • Marketing and promotion of local business • Positive perceptions of the city • Unique food experiences • Shared stories and history | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Greater Dandenong | Metropolitan |
| the Delivery Program 2017/2018-2020/2021 and Operational Plan 2019/2020. | 1.2.2. Advocate for a mix of affordable housing and identify investment opportunities in partnership with community (eg. Aged Care). | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Liverpool Plains | Regional |
| the Delivery Program 2017/2018-2020/2021 and Operational Plan 2019/2020. | 3.4. Our local farming is sustainable. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Liverpool Plains | Regional |
| the Delivery Program 2017/2018-2020/2021 and Operational Plan 2019/2020. | 3.4.2.2 Continue participation in the Agri-tourism program through the Office of Small Business Commissioner | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Liverpool Plains | Regional |
| the Delivery Program 2017/2018-2020/2021 and Operational Plan 2019/2020. | 3.4.1. Identify and recognise a balance between mining and farming. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Liverpool Plains | Regional |
| the Delivery Program 2017/2018-2020/2021 and Operational Plan 2019/2020. | Number businesses engaged in program | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Liverpool Plains | Regional |
| the Delivery Program 2017/2018-2020/2021 and Operational Plan 2019/2020. | 3.4.3. Advocate education and awareness in relation to Land Use practices. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Liverpool Plains | Regional |
| the Delivery Program 2017/2018-2020/2021 and Operational Plan 2019/2020. | 3.4.2. Encourage farmers to investigate value adding opportunities for their business. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Liverpool Plains | Regional |
| the Delivery Program 2017/2018-2020/2021 and Operational Plan 2019/2020. | Rating Structure & Definitions. In accordance with Section 494 of the Local Government Act, 1993, which requires all Councils to make and levy ordinary rates on all rateable land within its area Liverpool Plains Shire Council will levy the ordinary rates on rateable land in the following categories: Farmland Residential Business Mining The rating structure includes 4 categories and 12 sub-categories, all of which are subject to the ‘base and ad valorem’ rating structure. Income raised by the base amount for each category and sub-category must not exceed 50% of the total income. Farmland. All land conforming to Section 515 (Farmland) of the Local Government Act, 1993. The rate will apply to all genuine farming properties as defined by the Act, and will be rated on the lowest tier of the rating structure. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Liverpool Plains | Regional |
| the Delivery Program 2017/2018-2020/2021 and Operational Plan 2019/2020. | 3.4.3. Advocate education and awareness in relation to Land Use practices. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Liverpool Plains | Regional |
| The Greater Dandenong Housing Strategy 2014-2024 | Council has identified the following ways in which Council could continue advocate for positive changes across the four Housing Themes: • Advocate for increased supply of public housing, social housing and transitional housing in Greater Dandenong that is aligned with current and future housing needs and dispersed across Greater Dandenong to avoid creation of communities of acute disadvantage; | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Greater Dandenong | Metropolitan |
| The Greater Dandenong Housing Strategy 2014-2024 | Council Plan Priority 4.2 Attract investment and residential, commercial and industrial development in the City Housing Strategy Action D-1 Timeframe Investigate a “fast track” process for residential development. D-2 Provide assistance to housing associations seeking to develop social or affordable housing projects that support vulnerable CGD residents. This could be through the provision of: • property related information; • provision of information on current housing needs and trends; • information on development models and standards; • property purchase opportunities; and • affordable housing models / projects; D-3 Seek opportunities in the amendment process to negotiate affordable housing outcomes, where possible. 6.4 Sound financial management for a sustainable Council D-4 Continue to offer rate rebates to vulnerable households in housing stress through Council’s Rates and Charges Hardship Policy 1.10: Inclusion and support for the health and wellbeing of older people D-5 Continue to support older residents to age in place by offering assistance to undertake minor safety and environmental adjustments to their homes through Council’s Community Care model. Ongoing Action Ongoing Action Development Facilitation Engagement Service Provision City Planning, Design and Amenity Corporate Services Increase of affordable housing stock arising from partnership arrangements and private sector development, where possible. Continued operation of Council’s Rates and Charges Hardship Policy Number of residents who receive a rate waiver or deferral. Ongoing Action Service Provision Community Services Number of residents using Council’s Home Maintenance Service. Short-Term Action Council role Responsibility Outcome / Indicator Regulatory Role City Planning, Design and Amenity Ongoing Action Promotion and Education Engagement Development Facilitation Advocacy City Planning, Design and Amenity (with assistance from Greater Dandenong Business and Community Services) Fast-track process for residential development has been investigated and, if appropriate, implemented. • Increased affordable housing projects in Greater Dandenong arising from partnership arrangements and private sector development. • A regular bulletin on key housing trends, housing need, and the distribution, structure and volume of new housing disseminated to community housing associations • Guidance and promotional materials for the private sector on the benefits of partnering with registered housing associations to deliver quality housing outcomes prepared. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Greater Dandenong | Metropolitan |