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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018/19 Annual Report | All high and medium risk food premises have been inspected to ensure compliance with the Food Act and Standards and Council’s Food Surveillance Activity Report was submitted to the NSW Food Authority as required. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Gunnedah | Regional |
| 2018/19 Annual Report | Community Care Warrumbungle Community Care (WCC) provides a range of services across the Shire to assist the frail aged, people with a disability, and carers. Services include Community Transport, Meals on Wheels, Respite, Social Support and Home Maintenance. WCC is now an Approved Home Care Package provider, and Registered Authorised NDIS provider. These services support people to continue to live independently in their own homes. WCC provides services to almost 800 clients across the Shire. These services are provided by our dedicated team of six (6) staff and a team around 185 volunteers. In 2018/19 financial year Warrumbungle Community Care provided the following services: • 13,503 outputs for Meals on Wheels | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Warrumbungle | Regional |
| 2018/19 Annual Report | A number of major projects have been delivered in 2018/19. With the generous support of the NSW Government, over $2 million has been invested into water projects. In Coonabarabran, where the town was facing a water shortage crisis with capacity at Timor Dam rapidly dropping, a series of new bores has provided vastly increased water security. Water supplies in Binnaway, Coolah and Mendooran have been improved with completion of back up bores at each of those towns. Emergency works were undertaken to upgrade the water treatment plant at Mendooran | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Warrumbungle | Regional |
| 2018/19 Annual Report | Our Shire has been facing a devastating drought, which continued unabated throughout 2018/19. The impact of the drought is felt by our farmers, businesses, residents and the wider region. Council has taken a leading role in engaging with the NSW Government to provide greater water security for residents and is a strong advocate for adequate resourcing in rural and regional areas. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Warrumbungle | Regional |
| 2018/19 Annual Report | Goal: our Shire is characterised by its peaceful rural landscape, its thriving towns and villages and diverse agricultural activities. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Warrumbungle | Regional |
| 2018/19 Annual Report | One of the major highlights of the year was the commencement of works on the Inland Rail project. The Inland Rail is a significant investment into regional Australia, linking Melbourne to Brisbane through the agricultural areas of Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The route passes through the northern end of the Warrumbungle local government area and has the potential to generate long lasting opportunities for the region. In the short term, construction works could have a positive impact for local businesses. Looking to the future, the access to the rail line gives producers a local option for transporting grain and other goods. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Warrumbungle | Regional |
| 2018/19 Annual Report | Bidgee Haven Retirement Hostel Council owns a fully accredited 15 bed aged care facility, the Bidgee Haven Retirement Hostel. In accordance with Carers Recognition Act 2010 (CR Act), s 8(2) Council meets all its obligations under the Carers Recognition Act. The Council owned Aged Care Facility had a significant financial turnaround during the 2017/18 financial year with a profit of $117,000 compared to a $65,000 surplus in the previous year. This can be attributed to continued change in processes and a committed and dedicated Hostel Manager and staff. The facility has been fully booked with Residents enjoying the homely environment, home style meals cooked for them and many activities. | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Balranald | Regional |
| 2018/19 Annual Report | A number of major projects have been delivered in 2018/19. With the generous support of the NSW Government, over $2 million has been invested into water projects. In Coonabarabran, where the town was facing a water shortage crisis with capacity at Timor Dam rapidly dropping, a series of new bores has provided vastly increased water security. Water supplies in Binnaway, Coolah and Mendooran have been improved with completion of back up bores at each of those towns. Emergency works were undertaken to upgrade the water treatment plant at Mendooran | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | NSW | Warrumbungle | Regional |
| 2018/19 Annual Report | Maintaining our water quality during the blue-green algal bloom to ensure safe filtered water for the residents. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Balranald | Regional |
| 2018/19 Annual Report | Our Shire has been facing a devastating drought, which continued unabated throughout 2018/19. The impact of the drought is felt by our farmers, businesses, residents and the wider region. Council has taken a leading role in engaging with the NSW Government to provide greater water security for residents and is a strong advocate for adequate resourcing in rural and regional areas. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | NSW | Warrumbungle | Regional |
| 2018/19 Annual Report | Instigate an Organics Centre of Excellence; | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Balranald | Regional |
| 2018/19 Annual Report | Implementation of the Container Deposit Scheme across the Shire with collection counters at Coonabarabran and Dunedoo. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Warrumbungle | Regional |
| 2018/19 Annual Report | The 2018/19 financial year was an extremely busy year for Council’s Finance branch working through changes in structure, process and taking on new responsibilities as well supporting new Council functions such as the bottle return and earn | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Warrumbungle | Regional |
| 2018/19 Annual Report | Educate and regulate the local food service and processing industry in accordance with Council’s MOU with the Food Safety Authority. Food shop inspections are undertaken each year to ensure that compliance with the Food Safety Authority. Food Supervisor training provided through TAFE for food supervisors. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Warrumbungle | Regional |
| 2018/19 Annual Report | Undertake food premises inspection in accordance with partnership arrangement with NSW Food Authority. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Warrumbungle | Regional |
| 2018/19 OPERATIONAL PLAN | 2.2.4 Take a lead role in developing Brewarrina Fish Traps | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | NSW | Brewarrina | Regional |
| 2018/19 OPERATIONAL PLAN | 2.2.4 Take a lead role in developing Brewarrina Fish Traps | Sustainability and Environment | Agrobiodiversity and wild foods | NSW | Brewarrina | Regional |
| 2018/19 OPERATIONAL PLAN | 2. Economic Significant economic challenges and issues that have influenced the composition of the community’s Economic strategies include: – The need to connect our communities by bitumen roads to encourage economic growth and development in all industries. – Investigation of and encouragement of other potentially viable industries such as tourism and an abattoir. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Brewarrina | Regional |
| 2018/19 OPERATIONAL PLAN | Objective 2.1: Strengthening agriculture and existing local industries and exploring other options Strategies Council Delivery Program Actions 2.1.1 Elevate the need bitumen access for from Brewarrina / Goodooga / Hebel 2.1.2 Assist and encourage the development business Liaise with existing business 2.1.3 Actively promote and encourage industry development Report on opportunities and options GM / CSM GM Review Economic and Tourism Strategy Attraction of new business and encourage development of new Development Information Package for business CSM Access to information / programs for business Lobby government for funding for project Responsible Officer/ Department GM Measures Funding success and implementation of program Detailed Actions Grant submissions, lobbying and works undertaken. Regular communication with businesses, Government agencies and identify opportunities. Regular communication with businesses, Government agencies and identify new opportunities. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Brewarrina | Regional |
| 2018/19 OPERATIONAL PLAN | 2. Economic Significant economic challenges and issues that have influenced the composition of the community’s Economic strategies include: – The need to connect our communities by bitumen roads to encourage economic growth and development in all industries. – Investigation of and encouragement of other potentially viable industries such as tourism and an abattoir. | Sustainability and Environment | Local, sustainable food processing | NSW | Brewarrina | Regional |
| 2018/19 OPERATIONAL PLAN | Attraction of new business and encourage development of new | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Brewarrina | Regional |
| 2018/19 OPERATIONAL PLAN | 2.2.4 Take a lead role in developing Brewarrina Fish Traps 2 | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Brewarrina | Regional |
| 2018/19 OPERATIONAL PLAN | 2. Economic Significant economic challenges and issues that have influenced the composition of the community’s Economic strategies include: РThe need to connect our communities by bitumen roads to encourage economic growth and development in all industries. РInvestigation of and encouragement of other potentially viable industries such as tourism and an abattoir. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Brewarrina | Regional |
| 2018/19 OPERATIONAL PLAN | Objective 2.1: Strengthening agriculture and existing local industries and exploring other options Strategies Council Delivery Program Actions 2.1.1 Elevate the need bitumen access for from Brewarrina / Goodooga / Hebel 2.1.2 Assist and encourage the development business Liaise with existing business 2.1.3 Actively promote and encourage industry development Report on opportunities and options GM / CSM GM Review Economic and Tourism Strategy Attraction of new business and encourage development of new Development Information Package for business CSM Access to information / programs for business Lobby government for funding for project Responsible Officer/ Department GM Measures Funding success and implementation of program Detailed Actions Grant submissions, lobbying and works undertaken. Regular communication with businesses, Government agencies and identify opportunities. Regular communication with businesses, Government agencies and identify new opportunities. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Brewarrina | Regional |
| 2018/19 to 2020/21 OPERATIONAL PLAN 2018/19 | 4.3.2 Collaborate across all levels of government so that the Kogarah health and research hub can grow and attract allied services, increase employment, provide a range of housing types (including affordable housing) and provide excellent transport connections to and within the South and Eastern City districts. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Georges River | Metropolitan |
| 2018/19 to 2020/21 OPERATIONAL PLAN 2018/19 | Council-led development proposals Responsibility: Executive Manager Premium Facilities and Properties Strategy 5.2.5 Council-led development proposals incorporate, where feasible, options that support affordable and diverse housing. a. Complete the Planning Proposal for Oatley Aged Care Centre and, if approved, engage an aged care service provider to manage the facility.Investigate the potential to include affordable housing in Council-led developments. In the next three years we will… Initially (2018-19) we will… i. Complete the Planning Proposal for Oatley Aged Care Centre. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Georges River | Metropolitan |
| 2018/19 to 2020/21 OPERATIONAL PLAN 2018/19 | Goal:5.2 – Affordable and quality housing options are available Affordable housing Responsibility: Manager Strategic Planning Strategy 5.2.1 Partner with State agencies to increase supply of affordable housing for residents on very low to moderate incomes. 38 Georges River Council // Draft Delivery Program and Draft Operational Plan In the next three years we will… Initially (2018-19) we will… a. Develop, as part of a new Housing Strategy, an affordable housing policy and affordable housing target for the LGA. i. Prepare an affordable rental housing policy. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Georges River | Metropolitan |
| 2018/19 to 2020/21 OPERATIONAL PLAN 2018/19 | Housing for key workers Responsibility: Manager Strategic Planning Strategy 5.2.2 Advocate to the NSW Government to include ‘key worker’ housing for moderate income earners to be included in affordable housing initiatives. In the next three years we will… Initially (2018-19) we will… a. Work with the NSW Government to extend the application of affordable rental housing initiatives to key workers. i. use the new Housing Strategy to inform NSW Government advocacy that includes key worker housing in affordable housing initiatives. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Georges River | Metropolitan |
| 2018/19 to 2020/21 OPERATIONAL PLAN 2018/19 | Mandatory requirements Responsibility: Manager Strategic Planning Strategy 5.2.3 Advocate to the NSW Government to include mandatory affordable housing requirements in Council LEPs. In the next three years we will… Initially (2018-19) we will… a. Advocate to the NSW Government to include mandatory affordable housing requirements in the Standard Instrument LEP. i. Based on the findings of the Affordable Housing Strategy, approach the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to include mandatory affordable housing in State Environmental Planning Policy No. 70 – Affordable Housing (Revised Schemes). | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Georges River | Metropolitan |
| 2018/19 to 2020/21 OPERATIONAL PLAN 2018/19 | Continue to implement the food premises inspection program. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Georges River | Metropolitan |