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 Strategy 2018 | Support “This Farm Needs a Farmer” to incorporate education and mentoring about land restoration and the value of biodiversity for productivity and business. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | The arming one covers a large proportion of the shire. As identified above, the primary purpose of the arming one is to facilitate agriculture, including graing. | 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 wners. Target courses for particular enterprises (eg. small farms, euestrian, viticulture, graing). | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | . upport This arm eeds a armer to incorporate education and mentoring about land restoration and the value of biodiversity for productivity and business. .8 evelop and update information resources for rural land owners, including the new farmers it, 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. .9 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 | 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. | 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 | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | The arming one covers a large proportion of the shire. As identified above, the primary purpose of the arming one is to facilitate agriculture, including graing. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | .8 evelop and update information resources for rural land owners, including the new farmers it, 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 | Food supply and food system resilience | 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. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | Agribusiness Plan isitor Economy trategy (draft) | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | Agribusiness ÓÄ©orum | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | Audience: Owners of rural properties and farms MRC Economic evelopment Community Environment roups ater and Catchment Management Authorities Agriculture ictoria This arm eeds a armer Traditional wner roups neonone support through private land conservation program upport development and implementation of biolin proects Provide land management and farm planning courses Presence at This arm eeds a armer ield ay Engage in citien science threatened species monitoring proects 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 | Economic Development | Local food producers | 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). | Economic Development | Local food producers | 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. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | Support “This Farm Needs a Farmer” to incorporate education and mentoring about land restoration and the value of biodiversity for productivity and business. | Economic Development | Local food producers | 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 wners. Target courses for particular enterprises (eg. small farms, euestrian, viticulture, graing). | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Biodiversity Strategy 2018 | . upport This arm eeds a armer to incorporate education and mentoring about land restoration and the value of biodiversity for productivity and business. .8 evelop and update information resources for rural land owners, including the new farmers it, 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. .9 Continue to have a Council presence at community events such as local agricultural shows, providing information and advice about biodiversity conservation and land management. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Macedon Ranges | Regional |
| Blayney 2020 Master Plan and Implementation Strategy | Food and Beverage Manufacturing opportunities The Blayney region has a collection of businesses based on the manufacture, transport, storage and wholesale of food products, which make up a substantial part of the local economy. There are also current proposals before Council for the development of a goat abattoir that would add to the productive capacity of this sector. Recommendations Facilitate export and trade information for parties interested in developing export relationships. This could involve seminars and workshops from trade or professional bodies.         sites, potential Food and Beverage Manufacturing businesses may be attracted to the region by assistance measures, including tax or rate rebates, service fee reductions and/or development assistance. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Blayney | Regional |
| Blayney 2020 Master Plan and Implementation Strategy | A Food Truck Rodeo or food festival coordinating with local restaurants and cafe’s, to attract food fans out of Sydney | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Blayney | Regional |
| Blayney 2020 Master Plan and Implementation Strategy | Increase the number of events in Blayney Blayney Shire has great facilities and parks and already delivers some great sporting events and carnivals. Council and the local community can work together to identify other new event opportunities to coordinate with both the Shire-wide event calendar and with Blayney’s main street activities, including:  New events and activity on weekends to support longer main street trading hours  Increased use of the Heritage Park amphitheatre  Celebration of the Belubula River (eg river festival or party)  A Food Truck Rodeo or food festival coordinating with local restaurants and cafe’s, to attract food fans out of Sydney | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Blayney | Regional |
| Blayney 2020 Master Plan and Implementation Strategy | Leverage new investment from Council assets & facilities Whilst Council does not own many main street properties or facilities, other assets in Council ownership may provide leveraging opportunities for new main street investment. Strategic portfolio management could set up Council as part of the main street commercial activation solution: by becoming a landlord, tenants and rents could be managed to achieve desirable commercial outcomes. It is recommended that Council undertake a review of its assets and investigate leveraging opportunities such as: ÓÄÇ ÓÄ¥ÓÅáÓÄèÓÅéÓÅáÓÅÉÓÅïÓÅãÓÅêÓÅâ ÓÅñÓÅäÓÅá ÓÄ•ÓÅëÓÅñÓÅñÓÅÉÓÅâÓÅá ÓÅïÓÅãÓÅñÓÅá ÓÄäÓÅïÓÅáÓÅá ÓÄ©ÓÄô ÓÅïÓÅíÓÅáÓÅÖÓÅãÓÜíÓÅÖ ÓÅÉÓÅÖÓÅñÓÅãÓÅëÓÅê ÓÅÑÓÅáÓÅéÓÅëÓÅôÓÄãÓÄê ÓÄÇ Re-develop part of the Cottage site to help facilitate new cultural hub and opportunity for retail space as part of this. ÓÄÇ Tender for food kiosk/ food truck permits at Heritage Park, where formalising this can provide some revenue for Council. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Blayney | Regional |
| Blayney 2020 Master Plan and Implementation Strategy | Tourism events strategy               to secure and deliver great sporting events and carnivals. It is suggested that Council can work with the local community to identify other               proximity of the main street. Key opportunities would include:  New events and activations on weekends to support longer main street trading hours  Events for heritage park amphitheatre  Belubula Creek celebration and party  Food Truck Rodeo attracting food fans out of Sydney, along with local restaurant and café’s to run a food street party  Winter festival and leveraging this concept further along the ‘Chill Blayney’ brand concept, which could include things like ice skating rink, snow making / play zone | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Blayney | Regional |
| Blayney 2020 Master Plan and Implementation Strategy | Agriculture opportunities The Blayney region has a strong agricultural component to its economy, including the production of beef, lamb, wool and lucerne. Livestock, including beef production, appears to play a dominant role within the Blayney Agricultural sector. Advantages for the Blayney Agriculture sector include: ÓÄÇFavourable beef market conditions ÓÄÇ Increasing farm productivity ÓÄÇ Asian beef exports ÓÄÇMarketing local beef ÓÄÇ Utilisation of technology ÓÄ£ÓÅê ÓÅëÓÅíÓÅíÓÅëÓÅîÓÅñÓÅóÓÅêÓÅãÓÅñÓÅõ ÓÅôÓÅÉÓÅï ÓÅãÓÅÜÓÅáÓÅêÓÅñÓÅãÓÜíÓÅáÓÅÜ ÓÅñÓÅäÓÅîÓÅëÓÅóÓÅâÓÅä ÓÅãÓÅêÓÅÜÓÅóÓÅïÓÅñÓÅîÓÅõ ÓÅãÓÅêÓÅñÓÅáÓÅîÓÅòÓÅãÓÅáÓÅôÓÅï for the development of a vertically integrated beef cattle supply chain, encompassing and managing beef production, quarantine and transport to China. Recommendations Facilitate export and trade information for parties interested in developing export relationships. This could involve seminars and workshops from trade or professional bodies. ÓÄÇ Investigate beef production partnerships to supply largescale export agreements. ÓÄÇ Utilise Blayney 2020 vision and identity ideas to form the basis of a local or regional brand. This would allow local producers to leverage off this branding to create demand for their products. ÓÄÇ Re-examine policies relating to the subdivision of agricultural land, where broad-scale farming may improve declining farm productivity issues. ÓÄÇ Give small producers access to information on improved management practices to increase productivity. ÓÄÇ Better internet and communications infrastructure to support agricultural businesses. ÓÄÇEngage with CTLX and stock transport companies to better understand road and transport issues, such as problem routes, high mass vehicle and road train access issues. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Blayney | Regional |
| Blayney 2020 Master Plan and Implementation Strategy | Cool Climate Beef regional brand.                               industry such as Bega and Devondale. The strength of a united efforts will spread marketing and business development costs, but also increase capacity to supply larger order and therefore open up larger markets. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Blayney | Regional |
| Blayney 2020 Master Plan and Implementation Strategy | Promote a ‘Cool Beef’ cooperative It was suggested that individual farms could link efforts to create united cooperatives etc to sell beef to these markets, rather than attempting to each do this individually. The strength of a united efforts will not only spread marketing and business development costs, but also increase capacity to supply larger orders and open up larger markets. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Blayney | Regional |
| Blayney 2020 Master Plan and Implementation Strategy | Action Themes Discussion P7 Investigate mid-block link to Henry Street supermarket The supermarket on Henry Street is disconnected from the main street encouraging most shoppers to drive between it and other main street shops. Ideally a supermarket would be located on the main street as an anchor to other retailing and activity, but until market drivers and property conditions align to facilitate such a change, a link to the IGA should be established to encourage walking between the supermarket and other main street retailing/ services. It is noted that some properties provide front access to Adelaide Street as well as rear access to Henry Street (such as the chemist) but this is not ideal through an active tenancy. This action should: Explore opportunities for a formal link and mid-block connection between Adelaide and Henry Streets Explore whether a link though the partial arcade of the old Video Parlour building could be made Consider acquisition of a suitable building/ property to facilitate this linkage, whilst retaining some retail space for other strategic purposes | Health and Wellbeing | Accessible healthy food retail | NSW | Blayney | Regional |
| Blayney 2020 Master Plan and Implementation Strategy | Promote a ‘Cool Beef’ cooperative                      to Asian markets. It was suggested that individual farms could link efforts to create united cooperatives etc to sell beef to these markets, rather than attempting to each do this individually. The strength of a united efforts will not only spread marketing and business development costs, but also increase capacity to supply larger orders and open up larger markets. Whilst this would largely be private farm led initiative, Council could act as a catalyst to convene farms to suggest the concept and then actively participate in a support capacity for such an initiative. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Blayney | Regional |
| Blayney 2020 Master Plan and Implementation Strategy | G14 Incentivise supermarket retailer as an anchor for the main street At this time Blayney’s supermarket is located on Henry Street, a block away from the main retailing areas of Adelaide Street. Best practice main street planning would seek to have this core tenant located on the main street as an anchor of activity for other retail tenancies. It should be a strategic consideration of Council to help facilitate any future opportunity to locate a major retailer, such as a supermarket, on Adelaide Street. However until market and property conditions are conducive to this locating or re-locating of a supermarket on Adelaide Street, efforts to better integrate the existing supermarket with the main street should be made. For example, the planning for mid block links to Henry Street, potentially supporting retail or active uses through the middle and rear of main street blocks. Council may also actively engage with respective land owners to negotiate outcomes as part of the proposed future upgrades to the existing supermarket; or for mid-block link opportunities, considering investments that can leverage off existing Council | Health and Wellbeing | Accessible healthy food retail | NSW | Blayney | Regional |
| Blayney 2020 Master Plan and Implementation Strategy | Re-examine policies relating to the subdivision of agricultural land, where broad-scale farming may improve declining farm productivity issues. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Blayney | Regional |
| Blayney 2020 Master Plan and Implementation Strategy | Agriculture opportunities The Blayney region has a strong agricultural component to its economy, including the production of beef, lamb, wool and lucerne. Livestock, including beef production, appears to play a dominant role within the Blayney Agricultural sector. Advantages for the Blayney Agriculture sector include: Favourable beef market conditions Increasing farm productivity Asian beef exports Marketing local beef Utilisation of technology for the development of a vertically integrated beef cattle supply chain, encompassing and managing beef production, quarantine and transport to China. Recommendations Facilitate export and trade information for parties interested in developing export relationships. This could involve seminars and workshops from trade or professional bodies. Investigate beef production partnerships to supply largescale export agreements. Utilise Blayney 2020 vision and identity ideas to form the basis of a local or regional brand. This would allow local producers to leverage off this branding to create demand for their products. Re-examine policies relating to the subdivision of agricultural land, where broad-scale farming may improve declining farm productivity issues. Give small producers access to information on improved management practices to increase productivity. Better internet and communications infrastructure to support agricultural businesses. Engage with CTLX and stock transport companies to better understand road and transport issues, such as problem routes, high mass vehicle and road train access issues | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Blayney | Regional |