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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Growing Prosperity through Diversity” Economic Development Strategy & Action Plan 2018 | Retain and expand on the existing diverse business mix by boosting and recognising collaboration across sectors that encourage innovation, further investment and new jobs. Planned and Current Actions • Continue to support transforming industry sectors including advanced manufacturing, food and agribusiness, and medical technologies and pharmaceuticals to maximise benefits of location and access to innovation and research capabilities | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Monash | Metropolitan |
| 0-25 Years Action Plan 2018–2019 | Promote healthy eating in simple and consistent messages to children, young people and their families. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| 0-25 Years Action Plan 2018–2019 | Continue to promote and support breastfeeding for all babies including piloting specialist breastfeeding service. | Health and Wellbeing | Breastfeeding | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| 0-25 Years Plan 2018–2022. | In two of the early childhood indicators, breastfeeding and attending ages and stages visit, Yarra children are, overall, ahead of their State counterparts | Health and Wellbeing | Breastfeeding | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| 0-25 Years Plan 2018–2022. | In two of the early childhood indicators, breastfeeding and attending ages and stages visit, Yarra children are, overall, ahead of their State counterparts. | Health and Wellbeing | Breastfeeding | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| 10 Year Financial Plan | A significant amount of capital investment is also in the planning pipeline as demonstrated by the following projects: a) National Foods $55 million expansion | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Latrobe | Regional |
| 11.13. PROTOCOLS FOR VISITING DIGNITARIES AND OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS | FUNDING Funding arrangements should be clearly established at the outset for any official hospitality to be provided. The level of visit determines the style and financial responsibility for accommodation and travel arrangements. A budget for these costs should be established early in the planning process. Any special cultural, dietary and language translating and interpreting requirements also need to be identified. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | NSW | Tamworth | Regional |
| 11.13. PROTOCOLS FOR VISITING DIGNITARIES AND OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS | GENERAL CULTURAL ISSUES Cultural issues can impact on the success of a function, therefore, it is important to identify cultural issues to avoid the potential for embarrassment or incident. Matters such as greeting, seating and eating customs are of greatest importance and cultural issues may also provide constraints on where the function may be held, who should be invited, who should speak, when the function should be held, and what food and drinks should be served. For example, if guests are followers of the Muslim or a number of other religions, an awareness and acknowledgment of dietary and other cultural customs will prevent embarrassment. In such cases, even offering alcohol may give offence. A number of Asian countries bow the head in greeting as a sign of respect, the response to which is a bow that is lower than that offered. You can avoid potentially embarrassing your client and their guests by identifying and advising of the appropriate cultural protocols to be applied. If confronted with a cultural issue, the organiser should undertake relevant research and prepare for cultural differences. To ensure cultural issues are addressed, the organiser must firstly consider all details of the function, particularly the guest list, and determine if there will be specific cultural issues involved. The organiser should then seek advice on those issues from local key stakeholders or other bodies such as consular representatives, Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, or the agency responsible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships. You should also undertake research in publications or websites on the issues. Care should be taken to ensure the sources are authoritative and the information is not outdated. A list of useful websites is available, refer ATTACHMENT 3. INDIG | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | NSW | Tamworth | Regional |
| 11.13. PROTOCOLS FOR VISITING DIGNITARIES AND OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS | Specific matters to consider when selecting the menu include the appropriateness and cost, given the nature or purpose of the function and its attendees, of serving alcohol. Dietary requirements for special guests should also be ascertained and cultural or religious considerations to be taken into account, especially regarding the serving of alcohol or the serving of pork or beef. Usually, the nature, purpose, attendees, time and venue of the function will clearly indicate the preferred menu and drinks option. AFT | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | NSW | Tamworth | Regional |
| 11.13. PROTOCOLS FOR VISITING DIGNITARIES AND OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS | FUNDING Funding arrangements should be clearly established at the outset for any official hospitality to be provided. The level of visit determines the style and financial responsibility for accommodation and travel arrangements. A budget for these costs should be established early in the planning process. Any special cultural, dietary and language translating and interpreting requirements also need to be identified. | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | NSW | Tamworth | Regional |
| 11.13. PROTOCOLS FOR VISITING DIGNITARIES AND OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS | GENERAL CULTURAL ISSUES Cultural issues can impact on the success of a function, therefore, it is important to identify cultural issues to avoid the potential for embarrassment or incident. Matters such as greeting, seating and eating customs are of greatest importance and cultural issues may also provide constraints on where the function may be held, who should be invited, who should speak, when the function should be held, and what food and drinks should be served. For example, if guests are followers of the Muslim or a number of other religions, an awareness and acknowledgment of dietary and other cultural customs will prevent embarrassment. In such cases, even offering alcohol may give offence. A number of Asian countries bow the head in greeting as a sign of respect, the response to which is a bow that is lower than that offered. You can avoid potentially embarrassing your client and their guests by identifying and advising of the appropriate cultural protocols to be applied. If confronted with a cultural issue, the organiser should undertake relevant research and prepare for cultural differences. To ensure cultural issues are addressed, the organiser must firstly consider all details of the function, particularly the guest list, and determine if there will be specific cultural issues involved. The organiser should then seek advice on those issues from local key stakeholders or other bodies such as consular representatives, Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, or the agency responsible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships. You should also undertake research in publications or websites on the issues. Care should be taken to ensure the sources are authoritative and the information is not outdated. A list of useful websites is available, refer ATTACHMENT 3. | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | NSW | Tamworth | Regional |
| 11.13. PROTOCOLS FOR VISITING DIGNITARIES AND OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS | Specific matters to consider when selecting the menu include the appropriateness and cost, given the nature or purpose of the function and its attendees, of serving alcohol. Dietary requirements for special guests should also be ascertained and cultural or religious considerations to be taken into account, especially regarding the serving of alcohol or the serving of pork or beef. Usually, the nature, purpose, attendees, time and venue of the function will clearly indicate the preferred menu and drinks option. | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | NSW | Tamworth | Regional |
| 2.1 PEOPLE AND CAPABILITY EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, ANTI-DISCRIMINATION & HARASSMENT | Detailed profile of the residential population in the catchment area (5km radius of venue). Include the Social and Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) scope for the area, population profile and projected growth, level of housing affordability and housing stress | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Wellington | Regional |
| 2.1 PEOPLE AND CAPABILITY EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, ANTI-DISCRIMINATION & HARASSMENT | Discrimination is regarded as unfavorable treatment of a person in public life due their one of their personal characteristics or on the basis of a ‘Protected Attribute’ as per the Equal Opportunity Act 2010, the Local Government Act 1989 – Schedule 6, Section 96; and Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. Protected Attributes are defined as: • age; • breastfeeding; | Health and Wellbeing | Breastfeeding | Victoria | Wellington | Regional |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Priority Area 9.5 Encourage harmonious relationships between tourists and residents, the environment and agribusiness. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Regional Coordination – Council will develop strong regional networks across strategic sectors such as manufacturing, retail and agribusiness, target sectors or services such as Information Communications Technology (ICT) and tourism | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Strategic Sectors – Agribusiness Council will support commercial agriculture as a critically important element of the Yarra Ranges landscape and provider of local employment. A viable agribusiness sector will be linked to initiatives relating to improving labour shortages, budget accommodation, water security, adoption of new technology, advocacy to all levels of government and facilitating industry partnerships. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | support of industry cluster groups and services including AgriBusiness Yarra Valley, Yarra Valley Regional Food Group, Yarra Valley Wine Growers Association, Neighbourhood Houses, and Yarra Ranges Enterprise Centres. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | determining the best sites for development of caravan parks, group accommodation or portable temporary accommodation, particularly for the seasonal workforce, and alerting potential investors of the opportunities that arise. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Strategic Sectors – Agribusiness Council will support commercial agriculture as a critically important element of the Yarra Ranges landscape and provider of local employment. A viable agribusiness sector will be linked to initiatives relating to improving labour shortages, budget accommodation, water security, adoption of new technology, advocacy to all levels of government and facilitating industry partnerships. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | • providing opportunities for new outlets for producers to sell their fresh produce and value added goods by bringing local consumers and growers together | Health and Wellbeing | Encourage opening of new fresh food outlets; discourage unhealthy outlets | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | • Identify ways within the planning scheme that support farmers ability to grow their business within the Green Wedge so land can be preserved for agriculture, while catering for those that want to sell. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Council will support a region that sees the Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs recognised locally and internationally as a tourism icon, with a diverse range of tourism attractions and products. Council will encourage tourism that provides long term sustainable employment opportunities and mutually beneficial co-existence between tourists and residents. It will ensure environmental, cultural and heritage values, and the viability of the agricultural sector, are protected and enhanced. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Focus areas to support agribusiness innovation and growth Yarra Ranges Council can add value to this sector by: • ensuring that research and development provides local solutions to local problems, particularly relating to cultural and soil practices, and new crop varieties | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Priorities to foster agribusiness Priority Area 7.1 Encourage innovation and adoption of technology. Priority Area 7.2 Preserve rural land for agricultural purposes. Priority Area 7.3 Support local food supply chains and distribution networks. Priority Area 7.4 Improve water security. Priority Area 7.5 Support initiatives to ensure a sustainable supply of skilled and seasonal labour. Priority Area 7.6 Pursue modifications to the Victoria Planning Provisions aligned to Council’s Green Wedge Plan that enhance agriculture practice and sustainability. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Priority Area 9.5 Encourage harmonious relationships between tourists and residents, the environment and agribusiness. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | • identification of a business case to establish a recycled water pipeline for agriculture | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | • identifying opportunities for viable recycled water schemes | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Priorities to foster agribusiness Priority Area 7.1 Encourage innovation and adoption of technology. Priority Area 7.2 Preserve rural land for agricultural purposes. Priority Area 7.3 Support local food supply chains and distribution networks. Priority Area 7.4 Improve water security. Priority Area 7.5 Support initiatives to ensure a sustainable supply of skilled and seasonal labour. Priority Area 7.6 Pursue modifications to the Victoria Planning Provisions aligned to Council’s Green Wedge Plan that enhance agriculture practice and sustainability. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Strategic Sectors – Agribusiness Council will support commercial agriculture as a critically important element of the Yarra Ranges landscape and provider of local employment. A viable agribusiness sector will be linked to initiatives relating to improving labour shortages, budget accommodation, water security, adoption of new technology, advocacy to all levels of government and facilitating industry partnerships. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |