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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biodiversity Management Strategy for the Lismore Local Government Area 2015–2035. | To-the-door information for rural landholders (a) In collaboration with stakeholders, Council will develop and distribute an annual biodiversity and land-management information pack to all rural and rural residential landholders within the Lismore LGA. (b) The above distribution of information will ensure: i. Landholders are aware of land-management incentives, resources and related opportunities. ii. Landholders are encouraged to take up land-management practices that are beneficial for effective management of their ecosystem services. iii. Minimisation of duplication of educational resources between local government organisations (e.g. FNCW, RRC and Rous Water). L CA | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Lismore | Regional |
| Biodiversity Management Strategy for the Lismore Local Government Area 2015–2035. |  Development and distribution of resource kits tailored to each agricultural industry and lifestyle landholders, to communicate specific best-practice management methods of ecosystem services tailored to their industries. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Lismore | Regional |
| Biodiversity Management Strategy for the Lismore Local Government Area 2015–2035. |  Field days at demonstration sites managed by landholder champions to enable knowledge sharing of knowledge, development of practical skills and development of skills to apply best practice management of ecosystem services. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Lismore | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy | Support farmers to protect and enhance biodiversity whilst still being productive, through the management of biodiversity in non-productive areas. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Biodiversity Strategy | WT7 Provide advice on alternative land uses to traditional farming practices. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| Biodiversity Strategy | WT7 Provide advice on alternative land uses to traditional farming practices. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 2011-2020 | Council hosts environmental workshops for the community including Natural Cleaning, Worm Farming and Composting, No-Dig Gardening, Chooks in Backyards, Sustainability at Home and Carbon Neutral Christmas. Sustainable Living Workshop Series Due to the overwhelming response and interest received, the workshop series has been expanded to include biodiversity education, sustainable food and resource (waste) management including Natural Pest Control, Introduction to Biodiversity, Wildlife of Blacktown and Spotlighting Tours, Permaculture Principles, Seed Raising, Pickling & Preserving, Eco Food Shopping and UR-3R Alternative Waste Treatment Facility tours. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 2011-2020 | Environmental Expo Program The annual Environmental Expo provides residents with the opportunity to learn more about environmental initiatives such as reducing water and energy consumption, waste reduction, rainwater tanks, natural cleaning, worm farming, permaculture, composting, and bushcare programs from promotional material provided at the various stalls and by participating in activities or talking with stall holders. The Expo is an opportunity for Council to showcase environmental programs, and representatives from across Council attend as do external groups and organisations such as Sydney Water‟s Streamwatch program, Blacktown Solar City, Blacktown and District Environment Group, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Permaculture Sydney West and the Ethnic Communities Council. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 2011-2020 | Sustainability Street is an innovative community-based training program that nurtures at a grass roots level all aspects of sustainable living, including water and energy efficiency, waste | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 2011-2020 | No-Dig Gardening, | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 2011-2020 | permaculture | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 2011-2020 | Permaculture Principles, Seed Raising | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 2011-2020 | Permaculture Principles, Seed Raising | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 2011-2020 | Worm Farming and Composting, No-Dig Gardening, | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 2011-2020 | worm farming, permaculture, composting | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 2011-2020 | Chooks in Backyards | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 2011-2020 | composting | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 2011-2020 | Worm Farming and Composting, | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 2011-2020 | worm farming, | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 2011-2020 | Eco Food Shopping | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | urunderi Council would lie to wor with Council to reinstate traditional practices where possible, including reintroduction of food, fibre and medicine plants, and traditional burning practices. | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | 29 Continue to have a Council presence at community events such as local agricultural shows, providing information and advice about biodiversity conservation and land management. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | Audience: Owners of rural properties and farms MRC Economic evelopment Community Environment roups ater and Catchment Management Authorities Agriculture ictoria This arm eeds a armer Traditional wner roups neonone support through private land conservation program upport development and implementation of biolin proects Provide land management and farm planning courses Presence at This arm eeds a armer ield ay Engage in citien science threatened species monitoring proects Provide information around responsible pet ownership pdate and promote the new farmers its to new rural residents Creation of a podcast series on the natural history, cultural heritage biodiversity and landscapes of the Macedon Ranges hire | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | Conduct property management courses that help improve biodiversity and agricultural values of properties in partnership with local groups, agencies and Traditional Owners. Target courses for particular enterprises (eg. small farms, equestrian, viticulture, grazing). | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | Develop and update information resources for rural land owners, including the new farmers kit, covering a range of topics including living with wildlife, native plants and revegetation guide, managing grasslands, weed control and weed identification, contacts for local community environment groups, and the impact of climate change in managing land. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | enhance and protect agricultural lands. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | Farming Zone (FZ) The primary purpose of the is to provide for farming and agriculture. As a result, most traditional farming practices, along with the associated development and vegetation removal, is as of right i.e. it does not reuire planning permission. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | Planning permit requirements for Farm, Rural Conservation and Rural Living Zones. Planning permit requirements Uses Agriculture Poultry arm Bed and Breafast welling lots less than ha welling lots over ha Primary produce sales Racing dog training Rural industry Rural store Timber production Primary school econdary school Restaurant inery arehouse Intensive animal production Place of assembly Abattoir Retail (other than Landscape gardening supplies, Market, Primary produce sales and Restaurant) ffice FZ As of right As of right (up to 1 chicens) | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | Rural Conservation Zone (RCZ) The primary purpose of the RC is to protect and enhance the natural environment, natural resources, landscape values and biodiversity. Agriculture is allowed in this one provided it is consistent with the environmental and landscape values of the area. As a result, a broader suite of agricultural and rural industry uses are either permit reuired or prohibited. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | Rural Living Zone (RLZ) The primary purpose of the R is to provide for residential use in a rural environment. As a result, dwellings are as of right provided the land meet’s the minimum lot sie for a dwelling specified. Agriculture and a range of other rural industries are permitted in this one provided the site has capacity to support the use and the use does not adversely affect the amenity of surrounding land. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |