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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECONOMIC | Facilitate further value adding in agriculture to drive jobs and population growth | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | It is estimated that around 400 jobs could be created with new developments proposed in the Gannawarra over the coming 5 years. These jobs will be in energy, industrial, mining, and agriculture and will flow on to other local services. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | • Improved food and wine culture | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | •Farm stays/farm tours/local produce | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | Local investment in food and hospitality is critical for tourism industry growth and for improved liveability in Kerang, Cohuna and Koondrook. A creative food culture, along with modern retail centres will certainly be a prerequisite for attracting and maintaining new residents and increasing visitation. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | New tourism infrastructure such as the Koondrook Wharf will be an enabler of many new tourism businesses in Koondrook, including boating activity, riverside dining, quality accommodation options and creative food and arts-inspired commercial ventures. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | • Providing assistance, facilitation and advice for agribusiness developments. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | A range of intensive industries that are less reliant on soil and water but have the capacity to increase production, increase employment and drive population growth should be supported. Intensive animal industries such as poultry, pigs, dairy and beef, a variety of crops grown through intensive hydroponics, and feed production to support intensive animal industries should be key focus areas for the Gannawarra. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | Agriculture is the highest employment sector in the Gannawarra and is also one of the most volatile industry sectors. Council’s role will be to recognise the importance of agriculture and provide suitable services, infrastructure, and policy aimed at encouraging further investment. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | Council’s Agricultural Investment Strategy will facilitate scope for further diversity within the municipality, across irrigated, dryland and in the value adding sectors of agribusiness. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DIVERSE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INNOVATIVE AND DIVERSE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | Some of the key directions for economic growth in the Gannawarra include: • Introduction of innovative agricultural projects and diversified rural land uses such as intensive livestock, organics, intensive dairy and horticulture. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | STRATEGY 1 FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DIVERSE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR ACTION PARTNERS Action 1.1 Utilise funding streams to ensure major transport routes are upgraded to accommodate high volume, high value agricultural production. Action 1.2 Utilise and maintain the Agricultural Investment document to drive growth and diversity in agriculture Action 1.3 Facilitate further value adding in agriculture to drive jobs and population growth Action 1.4 Facilitate further organic farming opportunities in the local area. Action 1.5 Facilitate the development of intensive hydroponic growing systems for the agricultural sector. Action 1.6 Identify issues impeding agriculture and provide strong advocacy at a local, regional and State level. Action 1.7 Recognise Climate Change predictions and work closely with stakeholders to ensure farmers have the information to make informed decisions. Local VFF leaders Community groups Industry sectors Processors Local VFF leaders Community groups Industry groups RDV Investment agencies Kilter Rural RDV RDV Council VFF State Govt. RDV State and Federal Government RDV Irrigated Cropping Council VFF UDV NCCMA Action 1.8 Identify and utilise local infrastructure to support the development of intensive animal industries including new dairy opportunities. Action 1.9 Host an annual farm walk event that highlights new diversity in agriculture. Action 1.10 Invest in marketing that supports the innovation and investment required to grow the agricultural sector. G-MW Coliban Water Wimmera Mallee Water Local farmers RDV Council Community Groups Council RDV Projects developed Event held Year 1 to 5 KPIs Funding sought Document distributed Value add projects developed New organic projects Hydroponic systems developed Advocacy undertaken Information and initiatives undertaken YEAR Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Year 1 to 5 Year 1 to 5 Ongoing Year 1 to 5 Year 3 to 5 Marketing undertaken Year 1 to 5 | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | The Gannawarra brand should link the environment, renewable energy and sustainable farming into a proposition that appeals to businesses and consumers that are socially and environmentally aware. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | The Gannawarra has an opportunity to assist the farming community by facilitating new agricultural projects that provide value to the wider community. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | The Gannawarra has been the recipient of a reticulated natural gas supply to Kerang. This allows consumers further choice of energy options and provides more opportunity for larger-scale value adding of food products. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | There are some good examples of land use change in particular the Kilter Rural development north of Kerang. As the impacts of climate variability become more apparent agriculture will need investment capital to modernise irrigation systems and to implement new growing systems. These changes create opportunities for consolidation of land to support new industries and business ventures, for example, intensive animal production, environmental projects and renewable energy activities. There are examples of dairy farmers moving to new production systems in light of changing weather patterns. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | This work to date has resulted in the development of Victoria’s first large-scale solar farm, creating the potential for the Gannawarra to be a major player in the national energy scene, the area has also seen new poultry and piggery developments, introduction of new crops such as Victoria’s first commercial cotton crop, Australia’s first organic processing tomato crop, and expansion of existing industrial estates in Kerang and Cohuna. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | With agriculture being the main economic driver, Council has sought to diversify the farming sector by facilitating a range of strategic initiatives leading to new projects and new investments. The development of an agribusiness investment opportunities document details the many opportunities available in agriculture. To support this strategic document, Council staff have the capacity and expertise to provide advice on a range of related infrastructure services, aimed at justifying growth and project delivery. Examples of economic initiatives and outcomes include; • Developing industrial estates in Kerang and Cohuna. • Leading the development of large-scale solar farms in North West Victoria. • Driving the development of nature-based tourism in North West Victoria and linking to regional strategies such as Ports of the Murray. • Facilitating agricultural developments leading to Victoria’s first commercial cotton crop and Australia’s first organic processing tomato production. •Facilitating intensive animal industries (pigs, poultry, dairy) • Participating in the first stage of the Murray River Adventure trail. •Facilitating residential estates in the municipality. • Horticulture soil surveys on farmland from Lake Meran in the south to Lake Tutchewop in the north. This information has been used to provide advice to major developers. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | A range of intensive industries that are less reliant on soil and water but have the capacity to increase production, increase employment and drive population growth should be supported. Intensive animal industries such as poultry, pigs, dairy and beef, a variety of crops grown through intensive hydroponics, and feed production to support intensive animal industries should be key focus areas for the Gannawarra. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | Action 1.10 Invest in marketing that supports the innovation and investment required to grow the agricultural sector. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | Action 1.9 Host an annual farm walk event that highlights new diversity in agriculture. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | Facilitate further organic farming opportunities in the local area. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | Facilitate the development of intensive hydroponic growing systems for the agricultural sector. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | Some of the key directions for economic growth in the Gannawarra include: • Introduction of innovative agricultural projects and diversified rural land uses such as intensive livestock, organics, intensive dairy and horticulture. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | The Gannawarra brand should link the environment, renewable energy and sustainable farming into a proposition that appeals to businesses and consumers that are socially and environmentally aware. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | the mix of modern farming practices also presents opportunity to further develop agriculture using best practice technology such as sub surface irrigation and intensive greenhouses to increase concentrated production efficiencies. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | There are some good examples of land use change in particular the Kilter Rural development north of Kerang. As the impacts of climate variability become more apparent agriculture will need investment capital to modernise irrigation systems and to implement new growing systems. These changes create opportunities for consolidation of land to support new industries and business ventures, for example, intensive animal production, environmental projects and renewable energy activities. There are examples of dairy farmers moving to new production systems in light of changing weather patterns. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | This work to date has resulted in the development of Victoria’s first large-scale solar farm, creating the potential for the Gannawarra to be a major player in the national energy scene, the area has also seen new poultry and piggery developments, introduction of new crops such as Victoria’s first commercial cotton crop, Australia’s first organic processing tomato crop, and expansion of existing industrial estates in Kerang and Cohuna. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |