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.
Search Criteria:
| Document title | Relevant text in the policy | Domain | Topic | State | Local Government name | Council type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Report 2018/19 | A series of workshops were also held to prepare residents for the new service. Topics included reusable nappies, how to buy sell and swap online, keeping backyard chickens, composting and worm farming and preserving excess fruit and vegetables. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | Playing a leading role in the Western Sydney City Deal, including coordinating the Western Sydney Digital Action Plan as well as the establishment of the Western Sydney Health Alliance, and participating in the Integrated Intensive Production Hub workshop and associated initiatives with the Western Sydney Aerotropolis Agribusiness Precinct. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Wollondilly | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | A series of workshops were also held to prepare residents for the new service. Topics included reusable nappies, how to buy sell and swap online, keeping backyard chickens, composting and worm farming and preserving excess fruit and vegetables. | Sustainability and Environment | Local, sustainable food processing | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | Strategy GR7 – Agriculture Encourage and support agriculture and associated industries so that they continue to be a productive, sustainable and integral part of our economy, community, landscape and environment | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Wollondilly | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | 12 beeswax wrap workshops attended by 231 people and supported by the launch of an instructional video with 45,000 views. • Release of the Swap This For That – waste free party guide Our initiatives and campaigns to reduce single use plastic campaign were recognised internationally and locally, winning five major awards. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | Agribusiness and Agritourism Wollondilly’s history is rich in agriculture. Our backdrop is one that promotes a sense of farming and food production. Agribusiness in Australia is a leading industry pillars. International interest in Australian grown and owned food products in increasing. Agritourism is also an emerging opportunity, with people’s love for quality food and gastronomy, farming and tourism meet and form the tourism segment known as ‘agritourism’. With such close proximity to the Western Sydney Airport (WSA) and the proposed Agribusiness Precinct located adjacent to the new airport, the opportunities include farm stays, tours and events form part of the tourism strategy for Council. Working closely with the NSW Small Business Commission to develop and implement an agritourism pilot project for the Wollondilly Shire will be explored in 2019/20. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Wollondilly | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | 14 businesses signed up to the Swap for Good program to empower businesses in moving away from single-use plastics (commenced in June 2019) supported by two dedicated waste officers. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | 2. Viable agriculture Agriculture and associated industries are encouraged and supported and continue to be a productive, sustainable and integral part of our economy, our Community and our landscape. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Wollondilly | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | A series of workshops were also held to prepare residents for the new service. Topics included reusable nappies, how to buy sell and swap online, keeping backyard chickens, composting and worm farming and preserving excess fruit and vegetables. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | Strategy GR7 – Agriculture Encourage and support agriculture and associated industries so that they continue to be a productive, sustainable and integral part of our economy, community, landscape and environment | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Wollondilly | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Kimbriki Eco House and Garden Over 4,200 school students and 1,200 adults have participated in waste education workshops either at the Kimbriki EcoHouse and Garden or through our staff visiting local schools and community groups. A wide range of topics were covered, ranging from home composting and worm farming to home veggie gardening and native bee husbandry to name just a few. The EcoHouse has also expanded its services to include an Honesty Shop. This sells locally sourced and propagated plants as well as gardening supplies in the purpose-built nurseries constructed from re-used materials. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | On target G4 G8 Implement Event Waste Management Strategy G6 Implement Single Use Plastics Strategy Behind schedule G4 G8 Implement Waste Strategy – A separate Waste Strategy will not be developed for the Northern Beaches. It is part of the Northern Beaches Environment and Climate Change Strategy. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Reducing event related waste Activities to reduce waste at events continued in accordance with our Event Waste Management Strategy. Our team assessed and approved event waste management plans that incorporated solutions such as sustainable packaging choices, the use of portable water fountains instead of disposable bottles, reusable cups and clear event signage to support participants to make good waste management decisions. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Reducing single use plastics Two engaging promotional videos were launched under the ‘Swap This For That’ initiative encouraging the community to reject single use plastics and offer reasonable alternatives in order to avoid plastic pollution. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Single use plastic program continues and wins five major awards internationally and locally | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | State of the art new trucks were part of the new service and wrapped with messages discouraging the use of single use plastics. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Worm farms help reduce waste to landfill Council offered a limited number of free worm farms and compost bins to support residents to turn food waste into organic fertiliser for their gardens. Over 3,700 residents took up the offer with many more opting to be on a wait list. This initiative also helps kids to learn about how to help our environment literally in their own backyard. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | % retail food premises rated as a high or critical risk | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Compliance and enforcement Over 24,000 customer requests were received this year on environmental and building matters. Issues raised included hygiene standards of food premises; waste water; asbestos; skin penetrations premises; cooling towers; illegal building works; abandoned vehicles; nuisance dogs; pollution, unclean/unhealthy premises and inadequate pool barriers. Each matter was investigated which included visiting the site, speaking to the parties, mediating a resolution and in some cases issuing notices and orders to protect public safety and the environment. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Critical and high risk retail food premises inspections completed, in line with schedule | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Food borne illnesses can be fatal particularly for the young and vulnerable. This year we have delivered programs to support good food hygiene practices including seminars at child care centres and other food related businesses to equip operators with the knowledge to prepare and store food safely. Other activities included a regular newsletters to food businesses communicating changes to standards, participating in Global Hand Washing Day in October and, routinely inspecting food premises that conduct food preparation processes identified as hazardous (sushi, raw egg, rare burgers, etc). | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Food safety standards of retail food outlets | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | This service safeguards public health, safety and the natural environment through education, regulation and enforcement. Noise, water, food safety, building compliance and public health requests are managed by Environmental Compliance. They also deliver proactive inspection programs of food shops and cooling towers, and regular food safety education seminars which help to reduce the incidence of food-related illness. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | • plan for diverse, high-quality and affordable housing in appropriate locations that responds to community growth and needs HW | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | ACTION 2018/19 GOAL 2018/19 OUTCOME Strategy: Plan for diverse, high quality and affordable housing in appropriate locations that responds to community growth and needs HW Indicator: Dwelling numbers, type and affordability options meet the Maribyrnong Housing Strategy requirements Implement the strategic directions of the revised Housing Strategy with a planning scheme amendment to facilitate policy direction * Investigate and prepare a draft Development Contribution Plan for the City and present to Council in Quarter 4 * Continue to work with the Victorian Planning Authority to develop the planning controls/ framework and community vision for the Defence Site Maribyrnong, with the draft vision prepared and presented to Council Implement a planning scheme amendment to facilitate policy direction of the Housing Strategy. Draft Development Contribution Plan prepared and presented to Council in Quarter 4. Draft Vision prepared in collaboration with VPA on the Defence Site Maribyrnong and presented to Council Completed 90% completed Completed | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | advocating for a reduction in homelessness and the development of social and affordable housing | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | Council is working to ensure that both affordable housing | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | Plastic Free July with free reusable bags Over 1,000 reusable and biodegradable bags were handed out to residents as part of Plastic Free July in 2018. The initiative was launched at a Storytime session at West Footscray. Keeping with the theme, the story time session featured children’s books related to recycling and helping the environment to encourage families to reduce, reuse and recycle. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | The waste and environmental education workshops available to local schools and child care facilities is provided by the award winning Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies (CERES) who have been contracted to provide the program by Council. Workshops include hands-on activities such as worm farming and composting, student-led waste audits, calculating food miles and the option to go on an excursion to the CERES sustainable urban farm. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | Through its Maternal and Child Health centres, Council offers information, guidance and support on issues including breastfeeding/nutrition | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |