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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | Undertake a feasibility study that assesses the viability of establishing a small scale local food growing social enterprise in the Keilor Market Gardens | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | Vision In 2030 the Brimbank Green Wedge will be valued and enjoyed by the community for its rural atmosphere, rich biodiversity, cultural heritage and scenic landscape. Land owners will be supported to adjust to change and pursue sustainable land management practices, including innovative farming schemes that take advantage of emerging opportunities and local markets. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | Work with education institutions to research viable farming and alternative land use opportunities for the area | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | B. Water – Sustainable water use and management that provides sufficient supply for environmental flows as well as the area’s agricultural, recreation and residential uses. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | Directions (20 years) • Support low water consumption activities and discourage uses with high water needs • Support increased water quality monitoring and river health activities • Support the preparation of a Plan for the Upper Maribyrnong Catchment that sets out a program of conservation and monitoring activities for the Maribyrnong River and its tributaries • Support waterway management initiatives that seek to replicate the catchment’s natural conditions and cycles • Support initiatives aimed at improving the quality of water discharged in the catchment • Ensure Council allocates water strategically to uses that enhance the sustainability of the municipality | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | Maximise the potential to utilise recycled wastewater for agricultural and other sustainable purposes. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | Objective (20 years) Sustainable water use and management that provides sufficient supply for environmental flows as well as the area’s agricultural, recreation and residential uses | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | Recognition of the region’s water supply issues by supporting initiatives aimed at increasing water supply and managing demand. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | Theme B: Water Action Plan (4 years) # Action B1 Investigate the feasibility of implementing a water harvesting and re-use scheme to supply water to the Keilor Market Gardens B2 Advocate for development of a diversion compliance program for diverters in the Brimbank Green Wedge B3 Advocate for a review of water discharges from the Sunbury Treatment Plant and farm activities to determine their impact on the health of the catchment B4 Continue to monitor water quality through Waterwatch B5 Include a local policy in the revised MSS aimed at ensuring a water assessment and water plan is completed for new water intensive uses. The Plan should show how the Resources required $ $$ $$$ $$$$ Internal resources Lead Council Department Strategic Planning Strategic Planning $0 – $20,000 $20,000 – $50,000 $50,000 – $100,000 $100,000 + Forms part of internal operational budget External Partners Environment Melbourne Water City West Water Melbourne Water Western Water EPA Strategic Planning Timing Resources required 2011/12 $$ Melbourne Water Ongoing Internal resources Ongoing Internal resources Environment Melbourne Water Ongoing Internal resources Melbourne Water 2010/11 Internal resources | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | • Support local food distribution projects that may support the viability of the Keilor Market Gardens | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | Assist Keilor Market Gardens farmers access local food distribution networks across metropolitan Melbourne such as farmers markets | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | High quality agricultural land The alluvial flats feature fertile soil. Challenges include declining water quality and supply. The proximity of the Keilor flats to Melbourne presents an important market opportunity. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | In 2030 the Brimbank Green Wedge will be valued and enjoyed by the community for its rural atmosphere, rich biodiversity, cultural heritage and scenic landscape. Land owners will be supported to adjust to change and pursue sustainable land management practices, including innovative farming schemes that take advantage of emerging opportunities and local markets. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | Investigate the feasibility of engaging local farmers in the Western Region to contract grow produce for local markets such as green grocers, restaurants, cafes and community cooperatives | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | Vision In 2030 the Brimbank Green Wedge will be valued and enjoyed by the community for its rural atmosphere, rich biodiversity, cultural heritage and scenic landscape. Land owners will be supported to adjust to change and pursue sustainable land management practices, including innovative farming schemes that take advantage of emerging opportunities and local markets. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | • Support development of value adding processes such as cutting, processing and packaging | Sustainability and Environment | Local, sustainable food processing | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Brimbank Green Wedge Management Plan | Advocate for extension of drought assistance initiatives to farmers in Brimbank | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| BROKEN HILL РA BLUEPRINT ADVOCATING FOR OUR FUTURE | Advocacy Focus • Pursue economic development strategies focused around the sustainable economy, including renewable energies such as wind and solar, food security initiatives and eco-tourism. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Broken Hill | Regional |
| BROKEN HILL – A BLUEPRINT ADVOCATING FOR OUR FUTURE | Support growth in agriculture, mining and tourism by developing regional connectivity and transport logistics to better access markets. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Broken Hill | Regional |
| BUILDING THE CASE FOR WASTE Resource Recovery and Waste Management Strategy 2018 -23 | Council currently diverts all materials that are economically and environmentally appropriate to do so. These include garden organics, comingled recyclables, cardboard, polystyrene, steel, whitegoods, gas bottles, fluorescent lights, batteries, mattresses, e-waste, motor oil, tyres, mobile phones, some timber, agricultural chemical drums at Echuca | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Campaspe | Regional |
| BUILDING THE CASE FOR WASTE Resource Recovery and Waste Management Strategy 2018 -23 | Kerbside audits conducted by council demonstrate that food and garden organics and recyclable materials are a large component of the waste stream. Council will continue to seek increased diversion of materials from landfill by: • encouraging the adoption of garden organics services by residents. • evaluating food organics and soft plastic recycling services that complement current services and are cost effective. • reducing contamination in all services. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Campaspe | Regional |
| BUILDING THE CASE FOR WASTE Resource Recovery and Waste Management Strategy 2018 -23 | Opportunities to improve resource recovery will continually be presented to council. The following are currently foreseeable: Organics (food and garden) Keeping organics out of landfill has significant environmental and economic advantages. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Campaspe | Regional |
| BUILDING THE CASE FOR WASTE Resource Recovery and Waste Management Strategy 2018 -23 | Soft Plastics A large component of the waste stream that is currently not being effectively captured for recovery and reuse. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Campaspe | Regional |
| BUL KE BUILDING 2 30 | Buloke is an innovative and strong economy with agriculture, small business and industry capitalising on new ideas to provide a range of employment and tourism opportunities backed by the services, connectivity and housing to achieve population stability. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Buloke | Regional |
| BUL KE BUILDING 2 30 | Buloke is an innovative and strong economy with agriculture, small business and industry capitalising on new ideas to provide a range of employment and tourism opportunities backed by the services, connectivity and housing to achieve population stability. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Buloke | Regional |
| BUL KE BUILDING 2 30 | Shop-local support from residents | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Buloke | Regional |
| BUL KE BUILDING 2 30 | Actively manage fruit fly risks and outbreaks and educate community on the management of fruit fly. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Buloke | Regional |
| BUL KE BUILDING 2 30 | Buloke is an innovative and strong economy with agriculture, small business and industry capitalising on new ideas to provide a range of employment and tourism opportunities backed by the services, connectivity and housing to achieve population stability. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Buloke | Regional |
| BUL KE BUILDING 2 30 | Buloke is an innovative and strong economy with agriculture, small business and industry capitalising on new ideas to provide a range of employment and tourism opportunities backed by the services, connectivity and housing to achieve population stability. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Buloke | Regional |
| BUL KE BUILDING 2 30 | Continue to strengthen, promote and support the agricultural industry and innovation to ensure a strong local future for the sector. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Buloke | Regional |