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 2018-19 | 5.1.1.3 Facilitate assistance of small business start-ups Business Development Regular business enquiries come through Council’s Business Development service every week, some with quite large employment prospects. Enquiries include assisting in setting up fish export opportunities, a small animal abattoir, business relocation, to start a new business, local Aboriginal artist business, looking for premises and seeking permission to run businesses from home. Assistance provided includes the drafting of business plans, referrals to Southern Region Business Enterprise Centre and meetings with several other NSW and Australian Government agencies. The areas businesses needed assistance included funding, business structure, business premises, planning, digital set-up and human resources. Council is helping to promote the "Easy-to-doBusiness" program in partnership with Service NSW | Sustainability and Environment | Local, sustainable food processing | NSW | Eurobodalla | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018-19 | 4.2.2.3 Deliver community education on waste minimisation Waste Management Council has been using print media, radio, cinema advertising, various online platforms and face to face interactions to deliver community education on waste minimisation. 67 waste education activities were conducted during the year, reaching an estimated audience of about 4,600 people. Activities included the “Seaside Scavenge” waterway clean up and market event, ten home composting and wormfarm workshops, two screenings of 'A Plastic Ocean', 99 community marine debris clean ups and education, and waste audits with many local schools. The 'Environmentors' presenters once again visited local schools highlighting the importance of recycling, garden organics and other waste minimisation topics whilst preschoolers are continuing to take part in the 'Get Grubby' program that provides information on waste and recycling. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Eurobodalla | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018-19 | 4.3.1.3 Provide sustainability education programs Environmental Management 94 activities were held with over 10,300 participants. Some activities included the Seaside Scavenge, the Tapstar water conservation play, 'What's under the wharf' event, school waste audits, Environmentors visits, National Tree day activities for schools, compost workshops | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Eurobodalla | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018-19 | Council's kerbside collection was completed as per contract without any major operational or contractual issues. A price variation for recyclables processing was agreed to and offset by revenue received as part of the Container Deposit Scheme. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Eurobodalla | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018-19 | Return and Earn Container Deposit Scheme a resounding success Council provides a waste collection and management service to the community. Council’s Waste Management charges are designed to recover costs from people who benefit from the availability or the use of Council’s waste management service, whilst the Waste Collection Charge directly covers the cost of the kerbside waste collection service. Under the NSW Government’s Return and Earn Container Deposit Scheme (CDS), Materials Recycling Facilities (MRFs) may claim processing refunds for eligible containers that are collected through kerbside recycling services. In establishing this scheme, it was intended for these processing costs to be shared with councils and the broader community. Council and the local contractor SUEZ negotiated and entered into a Refund Sharing Arrangement which results in 90 percent of the revenue received through this program being allocated to Council. This directly benefits all residents that utilise the kerbside collection services as Council has been able to apply a reduction of almost 5% in the 2019-20 Domestic Waste Collection Service Charge. Residents are encouraged to ensure that contamination of the yellow bin is kept to a minimum so that these revenues may continue to support collection costs. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Eurobodalla | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018-19 | The ‘We Care' program was rolled out and supported over 55 local food businesses to reduce single-use plastic items | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Eurobodalla | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018-19 | This has enabled Council to further explore Food Organic and Garden Organic (FOGO) composting opportunities and other innovative and technological advancements in landfill and resource recovery practices. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Eurobodalla | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018-19 | 1.1.2 – Deliver legislated health protection and regulatory programs Action Service 1.1.2.1 Undertake the food inspection program Public and Environmental Health Comment The revised Food Inspection Program rewards businesses that demonstrate a high level of compliance with less frequent inspections and therefore reduces the costs to the businesses whilst maintaining food standards. 93% of businesses achieved excellent ratings. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Eurobodalla | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018-19 | Link 1.1.2.1 Outcome Percentage of complying food inspections | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Eurobodalla | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | Prepare a Housing Study and Strategy incorporating Affordable Housing Issues | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | Services for the Homeless Council officers have been attending meetings with the Wollongong Homeless Hub, Housing NSW and other relevant agencies to consider possible partnerships that could be undertaken to assist homeless people in our community. This includes provision of assistance to find suitable temporary and long term accommodation, mental health outreach services, services. food, clothing and showering | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | ‘Connecting Neighbours’ Grants Program The Connecting Neighbours provides grants to community members Grant program and groups who have a good idea to make a positive impact in their local area. The program was piloted in mid-2018. Five Category 1 (up to $250) and 11 Category 2 (up to $1,000) projects representing geographical spread, diversity of groups and a broad range of projects ideas were funded as part of the pilot. Approximately $10,000 was allocated through the grant process with 770 people participating in 16 project activities. Nine of these projects will continue to be delivered beyond the funding. As a result, the city now has additional free book boxes, a walking school bus, a new transition to school playgroup, new and revamped gardens, a singing group, children with improved cooking skills, adults with improved gardening skills and neighbours who know each other and friendships formed. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | Reducing Wollongong’s Ecological Footprint Council has developed and implemented a range of programs that encourage community participation in reducing Wollongong’s ecological footprint. Such programs include Rise and Shine Program, Clean Up Australia Day, World Environment Day, National Recycling Week, International Composting Week and other waste education activities, all of which were successfully held throughout the year. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | For the second consecutive year, Council supported community partners from Iranian, Afghani and Kurdish communities to host an open community celebration in the Wollongong Mall for Nowruz (New Year). Nowruz is the biggest secular event in dozens of countries in the Middle East and East Asia. backgrounds, including many Approximately 250 people from diverse family groups, enjoyed a colourful program of dance and music performances as well as communal circle dancing. The event also drew in people attending Eat Street markets. Iranian and Afghani food stalls were a special part of the Eat Street offering. A particular highlight was the first ever performance of the newly formed Afghani dance troupe. | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | Council officers have been working with Family and Community Services NSW, Mission Australia, Barnardos South Coast and the residents of Warrawong, Bundaleer and Illawong Gardens to implement a community developed action plan for each location. As part of this plan, a community garden was launched in November 2018 at Illawong Gardens. The community garden encourages residents to both grow their own food and make connections in their neighbourhood through gardening together. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | ‘Connecting Neighbours’ Grants Program The Connecting Neighbours provides grants to community members Grant program and groups who have a good idea to make a positive impact in their local area. The program was piloted in mid-2018. Five Category 1 (up to $250) and 11 Category 2 (up to $1,000) projects representing geographical spread, diversity of groups and a broad range of projects ideas were funded as part of the pilot. Approximately $10,000 was allocated through the grant process with 770 people participating in 16 project activities. Nine of these projects will continue to be delivered beyond the funding. As a result, the city now has additional free book boxes, a walking school bus, a new transition to school playgroup, new and revamped gardens, a singing group, children with improved cooking skills, adults with improved gardening skills and neighbours who know each other and friendships formed. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | Council officers have been working with Family and Community Services NSW, Mission Australia, Barnardos South Coast and the residents of Warrawong, Bundaleer and Illawong Gardens to implement a community developed action plan for each location. As part of this plan, a community garden was launched in November 2018 at Illawong Gardens. The community garden encourages residents to both grow their own food and make connections in their neighbourhood through gardening together. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | Reducing Wollongong’s Ecological Footprint Council has developed and implemented a range of programs that encourage community participation in reducing Wollongong’s ecological footprint. Such programs include Rise and Shine Program, Clean Up Australia Day, World Environment Day, National Recycling Week, International Composting Week and other waste education activities, all of which were successfully held throughout the year. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 126 entries in the school competition on single use plastic | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | A three-month trial of a FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) program will commence in September 2019in selected streets within Austinmer, Cordeaux Heights and Warrawong; | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | FUTURE DIRECTIONS Over the next 12 months, we will work towards achieving the following objectives: • Monitor Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) trial to divert waste from landfill | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | Reducing Wollongong’s Ecological Footprint Council has developed and implemented a range of programs that encourage community participation in reducing Wollongong’s ecological footprint. Such programs include Rise and Shine Program, Clean Up Australia Day, World Environment Day, National Recycling Week, International Composting Week and other waste education activities, all of which were successfully held throughout the year. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | A major component of VI's role is to identify, organise and provide relevant training. In the past 12 months, training has been provided on Kitchen Health and Hygiene, | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | WOLLONGONG | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 1.2.4. Plan for a diversity of housing across the full range of income levels, including affordable housing to support people who work in essential services. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | Council provided 24 locally employed, key community worker residents and their families with affordable housing. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | 5 Senses Garden at Rhodes Park, Concord Winner of the Asset Management and Infrastructure Initiative (Projects under $1.5 million) at the 2019 Local Government Excellence Awards. The 5 Senses Garden at Rhodes Park in Concord West is a place for the entire community. It offers workshops, volunteering opportunities and a space for local growing and social connections. The garden provides tailored activities for residential care facilities, schools, hospital programs and other not-for-profi t organisations. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | A Healthy Catering Practice Guide has been implemented to assist council staff who cater for Council events, or provide catering for community events. The practice guide is informed by the Australian Dietary Guidelines and provides practical suggestions for how healthy food and drink options can be incorporated into catering menus. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | NSW | Cessnock | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | The 5 Senses Garden at Rhodes Park in Concord West was completed. The garden is a place for the entire community offering workshops, volunteering opportunities and a space for growing social connections. The garden provides tailored activities for residential care facilities, schools, hospital programs and other not-for-profi t organisations | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Canada Bay | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 | Develop a healthy catering guideline for implementation at community events where catering is funded by Council and/or provided at a Council hosted community event. A Healthy Catering Practice Guide has been developed to assist Council staff who provide catering for community events. The practice guide is informed by the Australian Dietary Guidelines and provides practical suggestions for how healthy food and drink options can be incorporated into catering menus. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | NSW | Cessnock | Regional |