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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | In addition, the area has modern irrigation infrastructure both in the distribution system and on-farm courtesy of the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project (NVIRP). | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in 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 water management in food production | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | While there are many significant issues for the irrigation industry, Gannawarra does have a modern well-constructed irrigation system that includes 2 large freshwater storages holding around 80,000ML. These storages can be utilised for the mineral sands mining project and will be valuable assets in summer peak demand periods for high value agriculture. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | •Facilitating intensive animal industries (pigs, poultry, dairy) • | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | 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 | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | Identify and utilise local infrastructure to support the development of intensive animal industries including new dairy opportunities. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | 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 | Animal husbandry | 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 | Animal husbandry | 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 | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | Action 1.1 Utilise funding streams to ensure major transport routes are upgraded to accommodate high volume, high value agricultural production. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC | Action 1.7 Recognise Climate Change predictions and work closely with stakeholders to ensure farmers have the information to make informed decisions. | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | 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 | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Gannawarra | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | A planning framework needs to be developed that reflects the economic strengths and growth areas of the regional economy. Industries such as intensive agricultural uses, processing facilities, agritourism, health and medical precincts and industrial and commercial space in general need to be catered for in the planning framework | Sustainability and Environment | Local, sustainable food processing | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | The industry is evolving, and this provides opportunities for the region to develop a mix of complimentary sectors such as those that revolve around value-adding/ processing, more intensive agricultural uses (e.g. plant and non-plant), agritourism and food and wine expansion. To be successful in attracting these types of sectors to the region, it needs to be identified what they need by way of land, infrastructure and support services, and then identify suitable locations across the region to accommodate these types of businesses, and then ensure the appropriate planning is completed to ensure these types of operations fit into the planning framework. | Sustainability and Environment | Local, sustainable food processing | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | 3.2.1.1 Supportive Planning Framework A planning framework needs to be developed that reflects the economic strengths and growth areas of the regional economy. Industries such as intensive agricultural uses, processing facilities, agritourism, health and medical precincts and industrial and commercial space in general need to be catered for in the planning framework. Future Local Environment Plan’s (LEP) need to be guided by the industry growth Economic Action Plan 9 areas and investment attraction opportunities identified through the Economic Action Plan. Some of the other key priorities the LEP needs to help facilitate include: • The planning framework needs to encourage and support the right development in the right areas for the region, and it needs to have a level of flexibility built into it so that developments that will create jobs in the local community are facilitated. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | 3.3 Agriculture • Establish an industry advisory group for transport and logistics involving key industry stakeholders and community contributors • Develop a profile of the regions agricultural industry to use as a tool to attract complementary businesses | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | Agriculture The Agriculture, forestry and fishing sector contributed $157 million to the local economy in 2014-15. When broken down further the major contributors to this sector include the following: • Sheep farming ($38.4m) • Grain-sheep or grain beef cattle farming ($31.7m) • Other grain growing ($19.2m) • Beef cattle farming ($14.9m) • Other livestock farming ($14.4m) One of the major factors that contributes to the strength of this industry is the favourable conditions for producing crops and livestock, including climate and soil conditions. Another of the regions key strengths is the diverse mix of support industries located in the area, such as finance and insurance services, | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | Based on the Hilltops strategic location, and the existing strengths the region has the following sectors have been identified as targets for business attraction and expansion activities: • Transport and logistics • Health and aged care • Agriculture | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | contractors, mechanical/ engineering, agribusiness suppliers, transport, vet services, Local Land Services (LLS) and the establishment of a CSIRO research operation in the area. More globally, demand for high quality agricultural production is increasing and the opportunity for growth presented to the region to service the worlds food production needs should be constantly reviewed and refocussed. It is important to understand the regions capabilities and strengths as highlighted above, to then promote these as part of the regions profile to attract other sections of the broader supply chain to the region. It is important to ensure the sectors right to farm is maintained. The industry is evolving, and this provides opportunities for the region to develop a mix of complimentary sectors such as those that revolve around value-adding/ processing, more intensive agricultural uses (e.g. plant and non-plant), agritourism and food and wine expansion. To be successful in attracting these types of sectors to the region, it needs to be identified what they need by way of land, infrastructure and support services, and then identify suitable locations across the region to accommodate these types of businesses, and then ensure the appropriate planning is completed to ensure these types of operations fit into the planning framework. The opportunity exists to build a strong education and research base around the agricultural industry, given the region’s strengths in areas identified. This type of educational centre of excellence would link into developing the local workforce for the future, contribute to the succession planning on local farms, and also put the Hilltops region on the map nationally and internationally as a place for domestic and international students to come and study, learn and transfer knowledge back into the local community. The keys to the success of a centre of excellence such as this at a basic level include, identifying key industry and educational partners, identifying a potential facility/ location, and advocating for funding to support the development of the program. One of the major challenges facing the agriculture industry Australia wide, is succession planning and the sustainability of the industry relating to future workforce. Education of the community and within the industry is critical to the long-term sustainability of this sector. In relation to this there is the opportunity to develop an education program relating to the industry targeted at multiple audiences, including: • Education on succession planning Рthere are industry experts and programs designed specifically to deal with this situation and they need to be engaged to facilitate these sessions. • Education at a community level Рaround the importance of the sector to the local community, in relation to food supply, and the flow on effect the success of the industry has on other industries. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | Our agricultural strength, mix of thriving towns and strategic location on the busiest interstate, road freight corridor in Australia (the Hume Highway), presents a number of major economic and jobs growth opportunities for the Hilltops region. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector contributed $157 million to the local economy in 2014-15, the breadth of which presents further opportunities to leverage the region as an agricultural service and education centre. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | There are opportunities to promote the destination into other niche sectors including agricultural educational opportunities with schools | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | • Ensure the planning framework provides scope for the development of agritourism product across the region • Explore development of trails that focus on the regions strengths; food & wine, rail, heritage, cultural, renewables agriculture • Explore opportunities for business, professional, agritourism development as part of the tourism sector • Support the development of existing and attraction of new experience led visitor attractions which focus on the region’s strengths; food and wine, rail, heritage, cultural, renewables agriculture | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | Develop packages that encourage visitors to stay in the region longer, e.g. wine, food, art, culture, trails. The flow on from this is the need to develop increased accommodation to satisfy the needs of this market | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | Development of trails will add to the opportunity to develop packages of local experiences. Trails that revolve around food, wine, nature and local farming/ agritourism. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | Industries such as intensive agricultural uses, processing facilities, agritourism, health and medical precincts and industrial and commercial space in general need to be catered for in the planning framework. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | Opportunities exist to develop new agritourism related businesses that are linked to locally authentic farming experiences. One of the major priorities to facilitate this is ensuring the planning framework accommodates this type of development of agricultural land. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | Prepare key messages and stories that relate to the unique characteristics of each of the Hilltops towns and promote through online channels. Eg Light Horse, Food and wine, Heritage, Agritourism | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |
| ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN | The Hilltops tourism product can best be described as a diverse mix of nature-based assets and experiences, including locally produced food, wine and produce. The regions natural assets are supported by emerging dining and entertainment experiences, and a fascinating history of culture and heritage that is being explored and the stories communicated. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Hilltops | Regional |