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 Part A: Year in Review 2018-2019 | Code Services Target HS-01-01: Provision of potable water supplies to serviced areas No more than 2 percent of water quality monitoring tests exceed the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines No more than 2 unplanned interruptions per customer per annum Respond to 100 percent of water service failures within 2 hours Annual renewal of minimum 2km of mains according to Asset Management Plan | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Kempsey | Regional |
| Annual Report Part A: Year in Review 2018-2019 | Provide a saleyards facility and business plan | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Kempsey | Regional |
| Annual Report Part A: Year in Review 2018-2019 | undertaking a Strategic Options review for the future of the Kempsey Saleyards. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Kempsey | Regional |
| Annual Report Part A: Year in Review 2018-2019 | 190 food premises audited | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Kempsey | Regional |
| Annual Report Part A: Year in Review 2018-2019 | HS-05-03: Food related health risks are regulated 95 percent of food premises inspected annually | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Kempsey | Regional |
| Annual Report To 30 June 2019 | A 4m x 3m display jointly sponsored by Council and Tomra/Cleanaway will be presented at the Narrandera Show on 7 September 2019 with visual presentations of all aspects of the RVM and its operation, including correct selection of containers, redemption of vouchers, hours of operation and other aspects of the RVM kiosk. Tomra/Cleanaway and Council personnel will be on hand to answer questions from the public. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Narrandera | Regional |
| Annual Report To 30 June 2019 | Equally important is the transport provided to access the local community for shopping and social events; regular pre-scheduled bus services are provided from Barellan to Leeton, Barellan to Wagga, Leeton to Wagga, Leeton to Griffith and Narrandera to Wagga. This year also saw the service trial of a Narrandera to Leeton – Leeton to Narrandera shuttle; however this was later cancelled due to a decline in passengers. | Health and Wellbeing | Accessible healthy food retail | NSW | Narrandera | Regional |
| Annual Report To 30 June 2019 | REVERSE VENDING MACHINE Acting on Council’s resolution to attract a reverse vending machine (RVM) to Narrandera as a desirable component of the Government’s Return and Earn program to reduce litter, Council’s Economic Development Unit successfully negotiated with Tomra/Cleanaway for a 12 metre wide, 4 delivery point RVM for Narrandera. Council’s Senior Management considered various locations and agreed that the best location was adjacent to the entrance to the Narrandera landfill site off Red Hill Road. This location meets Council’s and Tomra/Cleanaway’s site requirements and arrangements are progressing to have the site prepared to receive the RVM kiosk and to install electricity to the site. A 4m x 3m display jointly sponsored by Council and Tomra/Cleanaway will be presented at the Narrandera Show on 7 September 2019 with visual presentations of all aspects of the RVM and its operation, including correct selection of containers, redemption of vouchers, hours of operation and other aspects of the RVM kiosk. Tomra/Cleanaway and Council personnel will be on hand to answer questions from the public. It is anticipated that the eagerly awaited kiosk will be in place and operating before the end of 2019. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Narrandera | Regional |
| Annual Report. | Complete and commence the implementation of actions from the Rural Land Use Review. This initiative was not completed. The delay in completion of this project is due to some additional analysis on the current and future agricultural opportunities to support future land use planning decisions, as recommended following a peer review of the study. The State Government has also flagged changes through Smart Planning and Planning for Sustainable Animal Industries that needs to be integrated into the Rural Land Use Review. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Baw Baw | Regional |
| Annual Report. | Complete and commence the implementation of actions from the Rural Land Use Review. This initiative was not completed. The delay in completion of this project is due to some additional analysis on the current and future agricultural opportunities to support future land use planning decisions, as recommended following a peer review of the study. The State Government has also flagged changes through Smart Planning and Planning for Sustainable Animal Industries that needs to be integrated into the Rural Land Use Review. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Baw Baw | Regional |
| Annual Report. | Warragul Poultry Club | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Baw Baw | Regional |
| Annual Report. | In partnership with the Regional Waste Management Group, assess the inclusion of food organics into green waste. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Baw Baw | Regional |
| Annual Report. | class 1 and 2 food premises inspected food premises registered 6 453 774 | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Baw Baw | Regional |
| Annual Report. | FOOD SAFETY Timeliness Time taken to action food complaints [Number of days between receipt and first response action for all food complaints / Number of food complaints] Service standard Food safety assessments [Number of registered Class 1 and 2 food premises that receive an annual food safety assessment in accordance with the Food Act 1984 / Number of registered Class 1 and 2 food premises that require an annual food safety assessment under the Food Act 1984] x100 50.0% 55.6% 100.0% 119.5% Council’s performance has continued to improve. The Council is ahead of schedule as we continue to focus on annual food safety assessments required under the Food Act 1984. 1.0 1.8 1.0 1.3 Food complaints received were actioned on average within one day of receipt. Council’s performance for this indicator remains quicker than the average performance for other Councils in the 2017/18 year. Results Comments/ 2016 2017 2018 2019 Material Variations The cost of the food safety program for the 2018/19 year is $377 per registered food premises. Service cost 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] $95 $257 $252 $377 During 2018/19, there were 774 food businesses operating under the Food Act 1984 in the Baw Baw Shire. This includes businesses that were registered or businesses which notified Council they were trading temporarily (such as market stalls). Council’s Food Safety service is provided as part of a larger public health service. Council’s food safety service continues to be delivered at a lower cost than the average for other Councils compared to the 2017/18 year. Health and safety Critical and major noncompliance notifications [Number of critical noncompliance notifications and major non- compliance notifications about a food premises followed up / Number of critical non-compliance notifications and major non-compliance notifications about food premises] x100 40.9% 58.9% 76.7% 100% Council’s food safety service follows up on all major and critical non-compliance notifications for food premises. During 2018/19 there were 25 critical and major non-compliance notifications. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Baw Baw | Regional |
| Annual Report. | Public Health is responsible for the delivery of public health services that includes: • Food safety inspections and sampling. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Baw Baw | Regional |
| Annual Report. | working with local businesses in the food and hospitality, culture and events areas which attract visitors and new residents into the Shire. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Baw Baw | Regional |
| Annual Report. | Baw Baw Food Hub Inc. | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Baw Baw | Regional |
| Annual Report. | Warragul Farmers Market | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Baw Baw | Regional |
| AnnualReport2017-18 | Advocacy on key issues impacting our city • Over development on single dwelling sites • Affordable housing | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Monash | Metropolitan |
| AnnualReport2017-18 | Progress Achieved: A discussion paper relating to the Monash Affordable Housing Strategy was completed and reviewed. The strategy examines ways that affordable housing can be increased in Monash. Council will consider the strategy in the second half of 2019 and seek community and industry feedback on it before making any decision. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Monash | Metropolitan |
| AnnualReport2017-18 | Social housing campaign In August 2018, Council joined a campaign to advocate for improvements to social housing in the lead up to the Victorian State Election in November 2018. The campaign was run by the Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance (EAHA), which includes Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash and Yarra Ranges councils. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Monash | Metropolitan |
| AnnualReport2017-18 | The EAHA Zone In: Real Action on Social Housing campaign called on all Victorian political parties to: » Amend the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to include mandatory inclusionary zoning to ensure there is at least 10% social housing on surplus government land and other strategic development sites » Deliver a minimum of 11,420 new social housing dwellings in the Eastern Metropolitan Region by 2036, to address current and projected minimum supply shortfalls. The EAHA believes introducing mandatory inclusionary zoning at 10% on surplus government land and strategic development sites will guarantee a steady supply of new social and affordable housing. It will provide more opportunities for our most disadvantaged community members to access the housing they need. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Monash | Metropolitan |
| AnnualReport2017-18 | Clayton Festival & Hawkers Night Market | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Monash | Metropolitan |
| AnnualReport2017-18 | Monash Community Harvest – The Corner Store Network ($70,000). | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Monash | Metropolitan |
| AnnualReport2017-18 | The hub provides the community with demonstrations and information on how they can make their home more sustainable. Information sessions and workshops are planned on topics such as energy reduction, sustainable gardening, composing and vegetable gardens. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Monash | Metropolitan |
| AnnualReport2017-18 | Workshops at Batesford Hub covering topics including worm farming, bee keeping, permaculture, healthy soils, growing edible plants and Indigenous plants and food, learning different ways to swap single-use plastics, reduce rubbish bin by half, tips for making simple and safe personal care and home cleaning recipes | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Monash | Metropolitan |
| AnnualReport2017-18 | NAIDOC Week celebrations including a Welcome to Country, Aboriginal Flag Raising Ceremony, a performance by Djirri Djirri Dance Group and a free Bush Tucker BBQ | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | Victoria | Monash | Metropolitan |
| AnnualReport2017-18 | Oakleigh Glendi celebrating Greek food, music and culture | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | Victoria | Monash | Metropolitan |
| AnnualReport2017-18 | Workshops at Batesford Hub covering topics including worm farming, bee keeping, permaculture, healthy soils, growing edible plants and Indigenous plants and food, learning different ways to swap single-use plastics, reduce rubbish bin by half, tips for making simple and safe personal care and home cleaning recipes | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | Victoria | Monash | Metropolitan |
| AnnualReport2017-18 | The hub provides the community with demonstrations and information on how they can make their home more sustainable. Information sessions and workshops are planned on topics such as energy reduction, sustainable gardening, composing and vegetable gardens. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Monash | Metropolitan |