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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 14. Work with DPI and Young Farmers network to facilitate involvement of young people in agriculture. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 2. Develop the Central West Industrial Park (CWIP) into an agri-food industrial precinct, leveraging its key location in relation to major transport routes and the nearby Parkes Intermodal Terminal. Implement Stage 2 planning for the development, incorporating additional land adjoining the CWLE, and develop a prospectus marketing the CWIP as an ideal location for food processing (including meat processing), agricultural engineering/fabrication, farm machinery, rural supplies and other value-added uses | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | Marketing and Branding 15. Integrate agriculture and food aspects into any broader marketing and branding materials produced by Council, including the Amazing Forbes campaign. Campaigns should focus on three key objectives: • Promoting agricultural investment in the area • Attracting skilled people to the area • Promoting the quality of the agricultural output and area as a source for clean and green agriculture. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 16. Continue to support the Grazing Down the Lachlan food event, linking the region’s agricultural and food products with tourism, art, indigenous culture and sustainability. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 17. Work with the broader Central West RDA to develop marketing and branding material for the broader Central West Region in conjunction with Destination NSW. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 1.2 Objective of the Agricultural Strategy The development of an Agricultural Strategy for the area has been identified as a key step by Council to aid growth across all agricultural sectors in the LGA. The development of an Agricultural Strategy will: 1. Support existing and identify and encourage new agricultural products and industries 2. Identify and explore new marketing and value adding opportunities 3. Review existing and identify required new/upgraded infrastructure 4. Support interaction, cooperation and the building of strong and dynamic partnerships. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 13. Foster locally based research and development and work with farmer driven organisations to improve their capacity to drive this | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 17. Work with the broader Central West RDA to develop marketing and branding material for the broader Central West Region in conjunction with Destination NSW. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 19. Continue to engage with leading agricultural enterprises and service providers to promote innovation and investment into the region. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 2. Develop the Central West Industrial Park (CWIP) into an agri-food industrial precinct, leveraging its key location in relation to major transport routes and the nearby Parkes Intermodal Terminal. Implement Stage 2 planning for the development, incorporating additional land adjoining the CWLE, and develop a prospectus marketing the CWIP as an ideal location for food processing (including meat processing), agricultural engineering/fabrication, farm machinery, rural supplies and other value-added uses | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | Central West Livestock Exchange 21. Focus on improving the efficiency and profitability of the CWLE, using profits to help fund other improvements in agricultural infrastructure and services in the Shire. 22. As per Recommendation 7 in the Transport and Supply Chains section, develop road train access along the Newell Highway to the CWLE, removing a key competitive advantage enjoyed by the Dubbo Saleyards. 23. Consider opportunities for the CWLE to differentiate itself from its main competitors, through the adoption of measures to ensure transparency, environmental performance, efficiency and add value to users. 24. Ensure Council provides experienced and strong strategic management for the facility to oversee the commercial and operational relationship with livestock agents, ensure regulatory compliance, manage staff and oversee improvements. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | Market and Value Adding Opportunities 9.Plan for the potential development of processing facilities, such as an abattoir, cotton gin or dairy processing facility. As per Recommendations 2 in the Land Use Planning section, complete Stage 2 planning for the CWIP, develop a prospectus and open dialogue with potential investors in the respective sectors, as well as surrounding Councils. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | Marketing and Branding 15. Integrate agriculture and food aspects into any broader marketing and branding materials produced by Council, including the Amazing Forbes campaign. Campaigns should focus on three key objectives: • Promoting agricultural investment in the area • Attracting skilled people to the area • Promoting the quality of the agricultural output and area as a source for clean and green agriculture. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | Saleyard Advisory Committee In accordance with best practice the CWLE has an established Saleyard Advisory Committee which provides input and guidance to Council on all aspects of the facilities management and operation. The Committee includes a cross-section of saleyard users as well as three Council representatives. The Committee meets every second month to discuss a broad range of strategic issues including capital improvements, servicing, marketing, throughput and fee structures. Recommendations are provided to Council via a supplementary report which is made publically available. The Committee appears to be well constituted and with appropriate scope to bring issues of importance to Council’s attention. It is appropriate for this Committee to continue to focus on the longer term strategic issues affecting the facility, without unnecessarily slowing down Council responses to the short-term, day-to-day operational issues which often require prompt action. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | Skills and Innovation 10. Seek to increase the supply of quality housing for sale and rent in Forbes and other townships within the Shire, to help attract skilled labour and specialists to the region. This could be achieved through master planning, zoning and fast-tracking development approvals for housing construction and upgrades. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | The Forbes Shire Council owns and operates the Central West Livestock Exchange (CWLE) located 12kms north from the centre of Forbes, positioned off the Newell Highway. The facility is considered one of the most advanced livestock auction facilities for cattle, sheep, lambs and pigs featuring soft flooring, an automated drafting system, covered sales areas, feeding facilities in holding yards for special livestock sales, 24-hour surveillance, truck driver amenities and a sixbay high pressure truck wash. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | The successful management of large scale saleyards requires specialised skills. Going forward the CWLE will require an experienced and strong manager to oversee the commercial and operational relationship with livestock agents, ensure regulatory compliance, manage staff and oversee improvements. Council has recognised this need and is seeking to recruit a specialist manager for this role. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 16. Continue to support the Grazing Down the Lachlan food event, linking the region’s agricultural and food products with tourism, art, indigenous culture and sustainability. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 1.Continue to review and amend the Forbes Local Environmental Plan to ensure that intensification and diversification of agricultural production can occur in the region, including the need to support infrastructure (e.g. water storages) and emerging industries (e.g. solar energy), while managing potential land use conflicts. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 19. Continue to engage with leading agricultural enterprises and service providers to promote innovation and investment into the region. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 2. Develop the Central West Industrial Park (CWIP) into an agri-food industrial precinct, leveraging its key location in relation to major transport routes and the nearby Parkes Intermodal Terminal. Implement Stage 2 planning for the development, incorporating additional land adjoining the CWLE, and develop a prospectus marketing the CWIP as an ideal location for food processing (including meat processing), agricultural engineering/fabrication, farm machinery, rural supplies and other value-added uses | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 3. Conduct a review of Council-owned land assets to identify opportunities for recycling land (i.e. disposing of land not required) to facilitate the purchase or development of other land to have ready for when investors enquire. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 6. Work with existing agencies (e.g. DPI and LLS) and networks (e.g. Landcare) to facilitate landholder involvement in sustainable farming systems, climate change adaptation, biosecurity and emergency preparedness. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 1.Continue to review and amend the Forbes Local Environmental Plan to ensure that intensification and diversification of agricultural production can occur in the region, including the need to support infrastructure (e.g. water storages) and emerging industries (e.g. solar energy), while managing potential land use conflicts. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 4. Work with key stakeholders in the region including Lachlan Valley Water, Jemalong Irrigation, local producers, neighbouring Councils and CENTROC, to continue to promote to State Government the raising of the Wyangala Dam to allow for increased water security and reliability to support agricultural business and industry. Focus efforts on promoting the flow-on social and economic benefits to the region from the project. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 5. Work with key stakeholders and the State Government to ensure that development of new mining and other industrial water uses balances the need to protect water supplies for stock and domestic uses and irrigated agriculture | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | 9.Plan for the potential development of processing facilities, such as an abattoir, cotton gin or dairy processing facility. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | Central West Livestock Exchange 21. Focus on improving the efficiency and profitability of the CWLE, using profits to help fund other improvements in agricultural infrastructure and services in the Shire. 22. As per Recommendation 7 in the Transport and Supply Chains section, develop road train access along the Newell Highway to the CWLE, removing a key competitive advantage enjoyed by the Dubbo Saleyards. 23. Consider opportunities for the CWLE to differentiate itself from its main competitors, through the adoption of measures to ensure transparency, environmental performance, efficiency and add value to users. 24. Ensure Council provides experienced and strong strategic management for the facility to oversee the commercial and operational relationship with livestock agents, ensure regulatory compliance, manage staff and oversee improvements. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | Saleyard Advisory Committee In accordance with best practice the CWLE has an established Saleyard Advisory Committee which provides input and guidance to Council on all aspects of the facilities management and operation. The Committee includes a cross-section of saleyard users as well as three Council representatives. The Committee meets every second month to discuss a broad range of strategic issues including capital improvements, servicing, marketing, throughput and fee structures. Recommendations are provided to Council via a supplementary report which is made publically available. The Committee appears to be well constituted and with appropriate scope to bring issues of importance to Council’s attention. It is appropriate for this Committee to continue to focus on the longer term strategic issues affecting the facility, without unnecessarily slowing down Council responses to the short-term, day-to-day operational issues which often require prompt action. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Forbes | Regional |
| 2018-2030 AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY | The Forbes Shire Council owns and operates the Central West Livestock Exchange (CWLE) located 12kms north from the centre of Forbes, positioned off the Newell Highway. The facility is considered one of the most advanced livestock auction facilities for cattle, sheep, lambs and pigs featuring soft flooring, an automated drafting system, covered sales areas, feeding facilities in holding yards for special livestock sales, 24-hour surveillance, truck driver amenities and a sixbay high pressure truck wash. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Forbes | Regional |