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.
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| Document title | Relevant text in the policy | Domain | Topic | State | Local Government name | Council type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creating the future Council Plan 2019 | 4.2 Maintained strong agricultural activities 4.2.1 Support our farmers and growing agricultural industry in adapting to the changing economy and climate. 4.2.2 Identify innovative ways to value-add to the region’s primary production and transportation. 4.2.3 Advocate for the development of roads and infrastructure required for primary production. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Cardinia | Metropolitan |
| Creating the future Council Plan 2019 | 4.4.4 Encourage the procurement and consumption of local food. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Cardinia | Metropolitan |
| Creating the future Council Plan 2019 | Advocate for changes in the state planning scheme which support development of local policies which reduce health-detracting environments (gaming, liquor, fast food). | Health and Wellbeing | Encourage opening of new fresh food outlets; discourage unhealthy outlets | Victoria | Cardinia | Metropolitan |
| Creating the future Council Plan 2019 | 2.4.2 Enhance food literacy and security within the community. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Cardinia | Metropolitan |
| Creating the future Council Plan 2019 | Promote practices that result in the reduction per household of the amount of waste going to landfill, particularly food waste. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Cardinia | Metropolitan |
| Creating the future Council Plan 2019 | Ensure the planning of rural (green wedge) areas protects and enhances important agricultural, environmental, natural resource, infrastructure and recreational values. T | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Cardinia | Metropolitan |
| Creating the future Council Plan 2019 | Manage agricultural land use by supporting farmers to utilise sustainable farming practises. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Cardinia | Metropolitan |
| Creating the future Council Plan 2019 | 4.2 Maintained strong agricultural activities 4.2.1 Support our farmers and growing agricultural industry in adapting to the changing economy and climate. 4.2.2 Identify innovative ways to value-add to the region’s primary production and transportation. 4.2.3 Advocate for the development of roads and infrastructure required for primary production. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | Victoria | Cardinia | Metropolitan |
| Creating the future Council Plan 2019 | 4.4.4 Encourage the procurement and consumption of local food. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | Victoria | Cardinia | Metropolitan |
| Creating the future Council Plan 2019 | 4.2 Maintained strong agricultural activities 4.2.1 Support our farmers and growing agricultural industry in adapting to the changing economy and climate. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Cardinia | Metropolitan |
| Creating the future Council Plan 2019 | Cardinia Shire has experienced an increase in flood, storm, fire and heatwave incidents in recent years. Climate change is affecting our agricultural areas, community health, parks and recreational facilities. We must work with our community and relevant agencies to prepare ourselves to respond against these threats and mitigate the climate change risks. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Cardinia | Metropolitan |
| Creating the future Council Plan 2019 | Promote practices that result in the reduction per household of the amount of waste going to landfill, particularly food waste. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Cardinia | Metropolitan |
| Creating the world’s most liveable community City of Greater Bendigo priority projects for government and private sector investment | The Victorian Government is currently developing a Food and Fibre Centre of Excellence at Bendigo Kangan TAFE, and a food hub would complement this facility. The City has completed a business case and is seeking to undertake the detailed design and development of a regional food hub that can support food relief, education and production. Total project cost – $200,000 Victorian Government – $100,000 City of Greater Bendigo – $100,000 | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| Creating the world’s most liveable community City of Greater Bendigo priority projects for government and private sector investment | The Victorian Government is currently developing a Food and Fibre Centre of Excellence at Bendigo Kangan TAFE, and a food hub would complement this facility. The City has completed a business case and is seeking to undertake the detailed design and development of a regional food hub that can support food relief, education and production. Total project cost – $200,000 Victorian Government – $100,000 City of Greater Bendigo – $100,000 | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| Creating the world’s most liveable community City of Greater Bendigo priority projects for government and private sector investment | Bendigo Showgrounds The Bendigo Agricultural Show Society estimates it injects $74.8M annually into the local economy. More than 605,000 people go through the showgrounds each year. Every Sunday there is a community market that attracts about 9,000 people, while annual events include Groovin the Moo, the Australian Sheep and Wool Show, and the Bendigo Swap Meet. A master plan for the site is being developed, which will highlight future investment opportunities. Australian and Victorian Government funding to deliver projects identified following the completion of the master plan. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| Creating the world’s most liveable community City of Greater Bendigo priority projects for government and private sector investment | The Victorian Government is currently developing a Food and Fibre Centre of Excellence at Bendigo Kangan TAFE, and a food hub would complement this facility. The City has completed a business case and is seeking to undertake the detailed design and development of a regional food hub that can support food relief, education and production. Total project cost – $200,000 Victorian Government – $100,000 City of Greater Bendigo – $100,000 | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| Creating the world’s most liveable community City of Greater Bendigo priority projects for government and private sector investment | Bendigo Showgrounds The Bendigo Agricultural Show Society estimates it injects $74.8M annually into the local economy. More than 605,000 people go through the showgrounds each year. Every Sunday there is a community market that attracts about 9,000 people, while annual events include Groovin the Moo, the Australian Sheep and Wool Show, and the Bendigo Swap Meet. A master plan for the site is being developed, which will highlight future investment opportunities. Australian and Victorian Government funding to deliver projects identified following the completion of the master plan. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| Creating the world’s most liveable community City of Greater Bendigo priority projects for government and private sector investment | Bendigo Showgrounds The Bendigo Agricultural Show Society estimates it injects $74.8M annually into the local economy. More than 605,000 people go through the showgrounds each year. Every Sunday there is a community market that attracts about 9,000 people, while annual events include Groovin the Moo, the Australian Sheep and Wool Show, and the Bendigo Swap Meet. A master plan for the site is being developed, which will highlight future investment opportunities. Australian and Victorian Government funding to deliver projects identified following the completion of the master plan. | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| Creative City Cultural Policy and Action Plan | Strategic initiatives The City can develop and deliver specific, targeted initiatives or programs which it delivers or contracts others to deliver. In the past these have included Cultural Ribbon planning, the Oxford Street creative spaces program, food trucks pilot, public art initiatives and laneway activations. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Sydney | Metropolitan |
| Creative City Cultural Policy and Action Plan | Advocacy Affordable Housing Actions 3.28 Advocate to the NSW Government and community housing providers to provide access to affordable rental housing in the inner-city for artists and creative workers not traditionally classified as ‘key workers’. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Sydney | Metropolitan |
| Creative City Cultural Policy and Action Plan | Affordable Housing Actions 3.1 Investigate a cooperative housing project for artists in their first five years of practice in the creative industries. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Sydney | Metropolitan |
| Creative City Cultural Policy and Action Plan | Changes to City regulatory processes and planning systems Affordable Housing Actions X X X 3.22 Based on NYC Department of Planning policies for joint live-work quarters for artists in industrial/ manufacturing zones, investigate planning tools to enable the establishment of live-work spaces in non-residential buildings in the City’s local government area for Sydney’s creative workers. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Sydney | Metropolitan |
| Creative City Cultural Policy and Action Plan | Previously announced commitments Affordable Housing Actions Date Endorsed 3.35 A total of 14 live-work studios to be redeveloped for artists and creative workers on Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. 3.36 Refurbished and launched six live-work studios on William Street, East Sydney for exclusive use by creative workers. 3.37 Ensure that criteria developed for allocation of City-owned live-work spaces encourages applications from musicians and performers, subject to the suitability of their practice to the space offered. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Sydney | Metropolitan |
| Creative City Cultural Policy and Action Plan | Support affordable housing for creative workers in Sydney. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Sydney | Metropolitan |
| Creative City Strategic Plan 2019-29 | 29. Bankstown Bites A food festival with guided tours to promote local businesses | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Canterbury Bankstown | Metropolitan |
| Creative City Strategic Plan 2019-29 | 28. Ramadan Nights Lakemba is the place to celebrate and experience Ramadan in Sydney, with food markets and activities after sunset until late for a month. This annual celebration started as a grassroots event. With Council’s assistance, it has become a signature event for Canterbury-Bankstown and attracts more than 60,000 visitors each week. 29. Bankstown Bites A food festival with guided tours to promote local businesses | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | NSW | Canterbury Bankstown | Metropolitan |
| Creative City Strategic Plan 2019-29 | 31. Lebanese Film Festival Since 2012, the film festival has held flagship events in Bankstown which also showcase Lebanese food, arts and music. | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | NSW | Canterbury Bankstown | Metropolitan |
| Creative City Strategic Plan 2019-29 | 28. Ramadan Nights Lakemba is the place to celebrate and experience Ramadan in Sydney, with food markets and activities after sunset until late for a month. This annual celebration started as a grassroots event. With Council’s assistance, it has become a signature event for Canterbury-Bankstown and attracts more than 60,000 visitors each week. 29. Bankstown Bites A food festival with guided tours to promote local businesses | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Canterbury Bankstown | Metropolitan |
| CROWN STREET MALL ACTIVITY | Goods and/or services kiosks/carts/cylinders/vans eg fresh flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables, food vans | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| CROWN STREET MALL ACTIVITY | Goods and/or services kiosks/carts/cylinders/vans eg fresh flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables, food vans | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |