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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018 – 2019 | 2018/2019 Activity Engage with other stakeholders to identify and improve agriculture supply chain protections 2018/2019 Action Initiate at least three contacts with Local Members to lobby for increased agricultural supply chain protections. Responsible Officer General Manager Comments Lobbied Federal Government and received significant funding through the Drought Communities program. Lobbied Federal Government requesting assistance with Chain of Responsibilities issues. Ag Strategy launched, State and Federal members invited to attend. Engage with other stakeholders to identify and improve agriculture supply chain protections Initiate at least three contacts with State and Federal Government departments to increase agricultural supply chain protections. General Manager Lobbied Federal Government and received significant funding through the Drought Communities program. Lobbied Federal Government requesting assistance with Chain of Responsibilities issues. Ag Strategy launched, State and Federal members invited to attend. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018 – 2019 | Agribusiness strategy Use the Central West Regional Plan to develop relevant initiatives that stimulate interest in Forbes as an agribusiness hub for Central NSW 2018/2019 Activity 2018/2019 Action Implement a targeted agribusiness promotional program and develop an investment strategy supporting new agricusiness in Forbes Develop an investment strategy supporting new agribusiness in Forbes Work with surrounding councils and Centroc to deliver outcomes of the RDA Central West Regional Plan for Agribusiness including for issues such as new processors and for water security Work with surrounding councils and Centroc to deliver outcomes of the RDA Central West regional plan for Agribusiness including for issues such as new processors and for water security Responsible Officer Economic Development Officer Comments The Forbes Agricultural Strategy has now been completed. The key marketing materials have been finalised and grants monies from AusIndustry have been paid-out and the project has been wound-up. Economic Development Officer Completion of the Mid Lachlan Regional Economic Development Strategy has occurred this period. Grants will be sought to implement projects identified within this strategy and also the Forbes Shire Council Agriculture Strategy to support these industries. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018 – 2019 | All work and maintenance at the Central West Livestock Exchange was completed in a timely manner ensuring safety and productivity at the site is adhered to. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018 – 2019 | As in many parts of the country, our Shire has felt the impacts of the ongoing drought especially given the significance of the agricultural sector to our local economy. Agriculture contributes around $97m of Gross Regional Product to the Shire and provides approximately 18% of the local employment opportunities. Council, as a leader in our community, has risen to the challenge and taken meaningful actions by increasing support and assistance to those affected. This is highlighted though our Farm to Trade program and employment of a Drought Coordinator. Our Drought Coordinator role was developed to support and assist the community by providing connections with drought relief services. With the Federal Government’s Drought Relief Funding, Council established its Farm to Trade program, which employed 12 community members with various trade skills to help deliver projects in one of Council’s largest capital works programs. This program provided employment for farmers and those associated with the agricultural industry in a time when farm employment had grown scarce. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018 – 2019 | Council is represented on a number of external committees including:  Arts Outwest  Australian Livestock Markets Association | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018 – 2019 | Efficient commercial management of the Central West Livestock Exchange 2018/2019 Activity 2018/2019 Action Implement the Central West Livestock Exchange Operational Plan to budget Investigate future opportunities for market growth for the Central West Livestock Exchange Responsible Officer Director Corporate Services Comments Council has restructured the work order structure of the CWLE business to better capture information on the CWLE’s cost base, and various revenue streams, has lobbied for improved freight access to the CWLE sight and is commencing work on a new Saleyards Business Plan to identify future growth opportunities for the CWLE. Council has also now completed 4 year forecasts for the CWLE business as part of the 2019/20 budget process. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018 – 2019 | Identify barriers to agricultural operations, processing and storage facilities and seek solutions with government stakeholders 2018/2019 Activity Engage with other stakeholders to identify and improve agricultural operation barriers Engage with other stakeholders to identify and improve agricultural operation barriers 2018/2019 Action Attend the quarterly meeting with the Centroc Economic Development forum. Responsible Officer Economic Development Officer Comments Attendance at CENTROC Economic Forum continue to be a regular quarterly event to support agricultural operators and are attended by Forbes Shire Council staff. Initiate at least three contacts with Local Members to lobby to reduce agricultural operation barriers. General Manager Lobbied Federal Government and received significant funding through the Drought Communities program. Lobbied Federal Government requesting assistance with Chain of Responsibilities issues. Ag Strategy launched, State and Federal members invited to attend. Engage with other stakeholders to identify and improve agricultural operation barriers Initiate at least three contacts with State and Federal Government departments to reduce agricultural operation barriers. General Manager Lobbied Federal Government and received significant funding through the Drought Communities program. Lobbied Federal Government requesting assistance with Chain of Responsibilities issues. Ag Strategy launched, State and Federal members invited to attend. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018 – 2019 | Influence the protection and enhancement of the agricultural supply chain to increase economic output and sustain employment in the Shire 2018/2019 Activity Undertake industry profiling and gap analysis of local agricultural sector 2018/2019 Action Six monthly reports from REMPLAN including consultation with industrial groups and relevant state government organisations Engage with other stakeholders to identify and improve agriculture supply chain protections Attend the quarterly meeting with the Centroc Economic Development forum Responsible Officer Economic Development Officer Comments Consultations with REMPLAN to upgrade all key economic, social and demographic indicators has occurred. Economic Development Officer Council continues to attend Centroc Economic Development Forum to ensure that we engage with other stakeholders to identify and improve agricultural supply chain protections. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018 – 2019 | Partner with local businesses to broaden market opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region for local products through high technology, improved freight and co-operate with other Local Government areas 2018/2019 Activity Implement an AsiaPacific market awareness raising program 2018/2019 Action Work with surrounding councils and Centroc to deliver outcomes of the RDA Central West regional plan for Agribusiness including Forbes Shire Council: Annual Report 2018/19 Responsible Officer Economic Development Officer Comments The Mid Lachlan Regional Economic Development Strategy and the Forbes Agricultural Strategy have identified this action. Critical research analysis Page 28 2018/2019 Activity 2018/2019 Action program to increase Asia-Pacific market awareness Responsible Officer Comments around these issues is currently underway to support a market awareness program around Asia-Pacific market awareness. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018 – 2019 | SALEYARDS ADVISORY: The Committee’s purpose is to advise Council on strategic matters relating to the Central West Livestock Exchange. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018 – 2019 | Support the value-add to regional strengths, for example: Parkes Regional Airport and Central West Livestock Exchange | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018 – 2019 | Undertake maintenance at the Central West Livestock Exchange within budget 2018/2019 Action Complete capital improvements to Central West Livestock Exchange within business requirements and budget | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 – 2019 | Award-winning Eat the Street Eat the Street Lismore again attracted huge crowds to the CBD for a celebration of food, entertainment, music and cooking demonstrations this year. Held in March 2019, two main streets in the CBD were closed to traffic and transformed into a sea of marquees showcasing regional cuisine, boutique beverages and stalls brimming with local artisan products. Key drawcards this year also included a masterclass with celebrity chef, Matt Golinski, a foraging tour with local forager Peter Hardwick, and a mixology masterclass with The Loft’s head mixologist, Howard Johnson. In the past year, Lismore’s annual celebration of culinary delights has continued to sweep up awards, winning: SILVER at the 2018 NSW Tourism Awards HIGHLY COMMENDED Local Economic Contribution nod at the 2019 LG Professionals Excellence Awards DID YOU KNOW? 26,264 people attended the fifth Eat the Street Lismore food festival in March 2019 | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Lismore | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 – 2019 | Lismore’s annual celebration of street food and culinary delights, Eat the Street, won SILVER at the 2018 NSW Tourism Awards and HIGHLY COMMENDED at the 2019 LG Professionals Excellence Awards. C | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Lismore | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 – 2019 | Our iconic Eat the Street Festival has again won plaudits around the country, taking out Silver at the 2018 NSW Tourism Awards and a Highly Commended at the 2019 Local Government Professionals Excellence Awards. T | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Lismore | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 – 2019 | We have also grown the heart of Lismore by supporting our local small businesses through rebuilding communication and engagement, while continuing to promote award winning events like Eat the Street and | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Lismore | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 – 2019 | Strive to assist development of strong farming businesses. Tourism and Economic Development Officer Ongoing 75% Government funding has been secured under the Fixing Country Roads and work commenced to upgrade bridges and culverts in the Shire that will open the Shire’s road network to HML and larger trucks, e.g. B-Doubles. Council has gazetted road access for Grain Harvest and Livestock Management schemes. Council’s Environmental Officer provides support with weeds investigation and control. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Lockhart | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 – 2019 | Talbot Farmers Market and Talbot Town Hall Market – In-kind | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Central Goldfiedls | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 – 2019 | Locks Lane Moolort Road reconstruction – $ 201,000 • Locks Lane provides Link Road access to the Moolort Chicken farms and was part funded through the Federal Governments Roads To Recovery Program ($150,000) | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Central Goldfiedls | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 – 2019 | Follow up on the possibility of starting a feedlot in the shire. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Lachlan | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 – 2019 | Investigate a Bush Tucker/ Bush medicine shop | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Lachlan | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 / 2019 | Develop an investment prospectus for areas to address industry and agriculture to diversify our economy | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Glenelg | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 / 2019 | Committee is to provide information and advice to Council on the operation and maintenance of the Saleyards, the capital works required to meet industry standards, policy making and implementation to meet industry regulations and legislation and the recommendation of annual fees and charges. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Glenelg | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 / 2019 | 26,285 FTE LIBRARY MEMBERS STOCK SOLD AT THE CASTERTON SALEYARDS | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Glenelg | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 / 2019 | Casterton Livestock Saleyards Advisory Committee (aoC) The function of the Advisory | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Glenelg | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 / 2019 | Casterton Saleyard | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Glenelg | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 / 2019 | Casterton Saleyards | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Glenelg | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 / 2019 | Operation of the saleyards with input from an advisory committee made up of industry representatives and councillors. The yards host up to 12 store cattle sales plus a summer sheep sale per year. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Glenelg | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 / 2019 | The Casterton Saleyards retained its status as one of the region’s premier selling facilities, injecting more than $10 million into the local economy during the previous financial year. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Glenelg | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018 / 2019 | Committee is to provide information and advice to Council on the operation and maintenance of the Saleyards, the capital works required to meet industry standards, policy making and implementation to meet industry regulations and legislation and the recommendation of annual fees and charges. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Glenelg | Regional |