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).
Suggested search terms
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 Annual Report | Council’s top rating services were libraries, water supply, parks and recreation, and sewerage while the most important services in the mind of the community were sealed roads, waste and recycling, and water supply. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Queanbeyan-Palerang | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 1.2.1 Enable diverse, sustainable, adaptable and affordable housing options through effective land use planning and education | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | Young Meals on Wheels | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | Young Meals on Wheels Inc | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 2.1.6.1.1 Work with partners to run programs to educate young people on sustainable living including growing their own food | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | The 69th National Cherry Festival which showcased the region’s cherry industry was held on Friday 30 November – Sunday 2 December 2018. The cherry season attracts thousands of people to the region over several weeks to celebrate all things Cherry. Each year the Cherry season is launched with the Cherry Blossom Long Lunch in late September then continues through until Christmas. Friday festivities moved to Boorowa Street for a Street Carnival followed by a spectacular fireworks display. The weekend brought sunshine and loads of free activities including the pipes and drum spectacular, a bush poets’ competition, the big breakfast, cherry pie and pip spit competition, working dog demonstrations, art exhibitions, busking competition, farmers markets and market stalls, orchard tours and live entertainment by local performers held in Anderson Park. In 2018 Cherry entrants Clare Grantham and Amelia Everdell and their support teams events raised $17,069.84. The funds raised were split, the National Cherry Festival (40%) and their chosen charities (60%). The charities that benefited were the Young Community Chest and Young/Boorowa Can Assist. A huge achievement. Great work by all involved. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | Work has commenced on the development of a connected work and learning space in the Hilltops which could be pivotal to the delivery of training in the agricultural sector. Food Hall and program has been set up by Churches and NGO groups and is functioning well. Boorowa Community gardens have been established and they are conducting community workshops | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | The 2019 Chinese Zodiac was the Year of the Pig. This meant lanterns in the Sunset Lantern Parade were decorated with pigs. There was also the Lambing Flat Chinese Festival Sculpture Wood and Big Art Exhibition, Lion Dancing by Prosperous Mountain Dragon and Lion Dances, Local Schools Future Faces Performance, Traditional Chinese Music by David and Eva, delicious and authentic food and market stalls. In the lead up to the event Schools participated in Lantern Workshops with over 1,000 lanterns being decorated. | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | The Harden Kite Festival is a family friendly annual event run by the local community and supported by Council. Leading into the festival there were over 217 volunteers who helped bring the festival together. It was held on 13 October 2018 at the Harden Racecourse. The event attracted a record 111% increase from just under 4,000 to 8,132. 29% of these coming from Canberra and 26% from the Hilltops region. With a record number of attendees, organisers experienced the largest traffic jam Harden Murrumburrah had ever seen. The 2018 theme was Kites Colour Culture. The big blue skies of the Hilltops came alive with colourful kites while on the ground, live entertainment, market and multi-cultural food stalls | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | Ensure Safe Drinking Water | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | .1.2 Encourage intensive agriculture opportunities that meet best practice standards and are suited to the natural environment STATUS: % COMPLETE TO JUNE 2019 BRIEF COMMENT ON PROGRESS TO JUNE 2019 100% Council has engaged PSA Consulting to undertake the Hilltops Council Economic Growth and Land use Strategy. The Strategy identifies new industry opportunities in 7 key areas of the economy noting intensive agriculture as an area of potential investigation. The Study and submissions received during the public exhibition period will be used to assist in the preparation of the Hilltops Local Strategic Planning Statement and future Hilltops Local Environmental Plan. Opportunities for intensive agriculture in the rural land use zones combined with natural environment opportunities and constraints, alongside Department of Primary Industry and NSW Environmental Protection Agency guidelines will assist in suitably locating appropriate intensive agriculture industries | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 2.1.1.2.1 Develop land use planning mechanisms that protect agricultural lands and prevents urban encroachment | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 2.1.6 Encourage sustainable farming that meets environmental best practice | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 2.1.6.1.1 Work with partners to run programs to educate young people on sustainable living including growing their own food | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 2.1.6.1.2 Support regional initiatives that builds capacity within the agricultural community 100% Work has commenced on the development of a connected work and learning space in the Hilltops which could be pivotal to the delivery of training in the agricultural sector. Council has also had close contact with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation at Boorowa and through the development of these relationships and programs hopes to foster a program of learning to support the Agricultural sector and the business community of Hilltops. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 2.1.6.1.3 Partner with organisations to showcase best practice agricultural operations | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 3.2.1.1.3 Work with partners to promote developments in agricultural technology and practices to enable industry to adapt and respond to change | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 3.2.3 Support the development of sustainable agriculture that protects the environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | An agricultural region of excellence in innovation, technology and high-quality local produce 3.2.1 Promote diversification of the agriculture sector to increase innovation and adaption | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | Environmental Citizen of the year to Blantyre Farms. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | Hilltops Fruit Fly Initiative, | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | Relationship being developed with CSIRO out of their facility at Boorowa to be completed in September 2019. Site visit conducted with new facility managers. Two new MOU’s set up Boorowa and Young Landcare. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | Work has commenced on the development of a connected work and learning space in the Hilltops which could be pivotal to the delivery of training in the agricultural sector. Food Hall and program has been set up by Churches and NGO groups and is functioning well. Boorowa Community gardens have been established and they are conducting community workshops | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 Annual Report | Engaging in Tourism Industry / Operator familiarisations: o MRTB familiarisations to local producer farm gates, wineries & paddle steamer cruises o MRTB Tour Operator familiarisations o Lake Victoria, Chowilla, Renmark, Old Mail Road, Locks 7, 8 & 9 o Outback Beds Bindara Farm Stay, Kinchega NP, Menindee, Pooncarie | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Wentworth | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | Boorowa Community gardens have been established and they are conducting community workshops | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 Annual Report | • Heavy Vehicle & Agricultural Machinery Road Safety Forum The Heavy vehicle and Agricultural Machinery Road Safety forum was held in October 2018. Industry experts from the national Heavy Vehicle Regulator, NSW Roads & Maritime Services and NSW Police presented at the forum. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Wentworth | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 2.1.6.1.1 Work with partners to run programs to educate young people on sustainable living including growing their own food | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | Work has commenced on the development of a connected work and learning space in the Hilltops which could be pivotal to the delivery of training in the agricultural sector. Food Hall and program has been set up by Churches and NGO groups and is functioning well. Boorowa Community gardens have been established and they are conducting community workshops | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 3.2.1.1.5 Work with industry to investigate the development of new agricultural ventures and diversification through value adding STATUS: % COMPLETE TO JUNE 2019 50% BRIEF COMMENT ON PROGRESS TO JUNE 2019 Anecdotal evidence gathered through interaction with local business suggested there are opportunities for value-adding facilities to be established within the Hilltops. For example, a multi species processing facility for pigs, sheep or poultry would be well suited to establishment in the Hilltops as many animals travel long distances away from Hilltops for processing. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT | 3.2.3 Support the development of sustainable agriculture that protects the environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |