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 | The Vietnamese culture is celebrated in Footscray by such prominent features as the Saigon Welcome Arch and Little Saigon Plaza in Footscray. They serve as a landmark, with the area well known for its Vietnamese cuisine and cultural heritage. This has led to members of the Footscray community calling for a Vietnamese cultural and heritage centre in Footscray. Council entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Vietnamese Community Australia | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | 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 | Breastfeeding | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | The draft Cycling Strategy sets a ten year vision, during which time Council invests in infrastructure, behavioural change, road management and other improvements to deliver a connected community where residents can travel by bicycle to all significant destinations such as schools, shops, train stations and community facilities. | Health and Wellbeing | Accessible healthy food retail | 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. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | 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. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | 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. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | 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. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | Council services – regulatory services Council seeks to improve compliance with local laws, food safety | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Preparation of the draft Colac 2050 Growth Plan involved a basic analysis of housing needs in Colac. This informed the development of the Plan, however a more comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment is required to be completed that includes consideration of affordable housing needs, an aging population, etc. This project requires dedicated Council funding and will be considered in the 2020/21 budget process. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Colac Otway | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | Council took home an LGPRO award for the Environmental Health units’ pre-application process for food related businesses. To maintain the health of diners and the city’s reputation as a restaurant hot spot, Council reviewed food safety compliance rates for food businesses in 2015. It found compliance was decreasing with gaps in some proprietors’ food safety knowledge, increasing the risk of unsafe food in the community. Council’s Environmental Health team set out to devise a new process for increasing food safety (particularly for new businesses) via a supportive approach. This all-encompassing approach provided guidance through the permit application process. Clients were invited to attend a free meeting and program to discuss their proposal. The level of food safety knowledge and compliance increased substantially as traders became more involved, indicating that the main objective of providing safer food for the community was achieved. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Council is partnering with Colac Area Health in the “Choose Change campaign” to promote healthy eating and physical activity in the community | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Colac Otway | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | ensuring a reputation for high quality and safe food | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Harmony Day Multicultural morning tea | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | Victoria | Colac Otway | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | FOOD SAFETY Health and safety Critical and major noncompliance notifications [Number of critical non-compliance notifications and major noncompliance notifications about a food premises followed up / Number of critical non-compliance notifications and major non-compliance notifications about food premises] x100 | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Build capacity of local sports groups in promoting healthy eating and physical activity. A number of workshops and forums are held annually with sports clubs. Officers work with clubs and associations on a daily basis assisting with building capacity to increase participation; this is continuing including RSA training. Council is partnering with Colac Area Health in the “Choose Change campaign” to promote healthy eating and physical activity in the community, including sports groups. Council supports the VicHealth “This Girl Can campaign” through communications and promotions. Any funding opportunities to promote healthy eating and physical activity are passed on to sports clubs and officers support clubs in funding applications. Council continues to develop strategies that promote healthy lifestyles. | Health and Wellbeing | Partner with sport clubs to provide healthy choices | Victoria | Colac Otway | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | Table 17: Food safety Time taken to action food complaints Number of days between receipt and first response action for all food complaints/number of food complaints 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 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) x 100 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 1 1. There has been about 23% increase in registered premises requiring mandatory inspections but yet no increase in the annual budget. Improvements to processes and staff performance outcomes have enabled all inspections to be completed within budget and time frames resulting in about 19% lower service cost per registered premises. $1,024.49 $917.90 $693.30 $587.73 $477.67 NA 82% 100% 101% 100% 88% 100% 100% 99% 100% 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 NA | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Maribyrnong | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Good Food, Good Mood presentation about Gut Health | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy eating by LG staff | Victoria | Colac Otway | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | Implement an agricultural investment attraction program highlighting regional suitability for diversification. Ongoing Acting upon the Land Capability study undertaken in partnership with Deakin University and the Glenelg Hopkins CMA, the Economic Development Tourism Unit attended their third HORT Connections in Melbourne in June. The Greater Hamilton booth at HORT Connections was one of the most attended sites throughout the convention with many horticulture growers wanting to learn more about the region and what we have to offer. The EDTU is liaising with a number of growers in relation to establishing a site within the region. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Southern Grampians | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Health & Wellbeing Our Health and Wellbeing program continues to support our employees to make physical, social, mental and lifestyle improvements. We conducted 17 events to offer various opportunities for social connection, promote an active lifestyle, as well as informative sessions regarding the benefits of nutritional eating and mental health. Activities this year included: • Vision Superannuation Information Sessions • Women’s Health Week Luncheon • Mindfulness Meditation Sessions • Healthy Wrap Day | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy eating by LG staff | Victoria | Colac Otway | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | $200,000 Grant for Combating Pests & Weed Impacts During Drought Program Towards the conclusion of the financial year the Environment Unit successfully secured a significant federal government grant for a weeds and rabbit control program to be run throughout the 2019/20 financial year. This program will have substantial positive benefits for rural and farming communities across the Shire by enabling a landscape scale approach to weed and pest control across both private and Council-managed land. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Colac Otway | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | 1,011,364 – Sheep and lambs sold at the Hamilton Regional Livestock Exchange | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Southern Grampians | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | General rates residential General rates farm / rural | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Colac Otway | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | A community initiative ‘Just Add Water’ evolved towards the end of the 2018/19 year into a proposal to investigate the feasibility of pumping recycled water from Black Rock Reclamation Plant to Lake Colac with multiple benefits for local industry, agriculture and the environment. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Colac Otway | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | A range of promotional products were created including caps, bumper stickers and fridge magnets, all focused on the ‘Your Livestock Exchange’ tagline and designed to raise brand awareness and community ownership of the facility. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Southern Grampians | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Animals through the Colac Regional Saleyards | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Colac Otway | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Colac Livestock Selling Centre Advisory | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Colac Otway | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | Complete stage three of the Livestock Exchange roof over the Cattle Yards • Completion of canteen facilities upgrade at Hamilton Regional Livestock Exchange | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Southern Grampians | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | Colac Regional Saleyards Advisory Committee | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Colac Otway | Regional |
| Annual Report 2018/19 | This service provides a vital link in our rural infrastructure by providing a marketplace for buying and selling livestock. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Colac Otway | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 | Completion of stage three of the Hamilton Regional Livestock Exchange works | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Southern Grampians | Regional |