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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | 50% increase in neighbourhood food production and distribution by 2020, using a 2010 baseline (this includes private gardens as well as community gardens) | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | Ensure that projects, such as local food initiatives for example community gardens and the establishment of home vegetable gardens, are supported in line with community need and interest | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | Neighbourhood food production and distribution The production, distribution, processing and consumption of food present one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas and carbon production. At the same time, it presents an opportunity to shift towards a more sustainable future. Neighbourhood food production encompasses areas where fresh produce is grown. It may occur on private land (vegetable gardens) or in public areas (community gardens). Warringah’s first community garden was established in Manly Vale in 2010. Council has since formalised its approach to community gardens with the adoption in 2012 of a policy and supporting guidelines for establishing communal gardens in Warringah. Encouraging residents to grow their own food and to buy ‘local’ will enhance our local food assets. Examples of neighbourhood food initiatives include developing additional community gardens, extending educational programs such as those run by Kimbriki, providing support measures such as workshops, school programs and the sale of compost bins and worm farms. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | The sustainable living outcomes that focus on the Warringah community as a whole are based on the following key areas in this section. Energy, which is a core aspect of sustainability broadly, is dealt with in detail in the previous section ‘Climate Change’: • • • • • • • Food waste Neighbourhood food production and distribution | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | 50% increase in neighbourhood food production and distribution by 2020, using a 2010 baseline | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | 50% increase in neighbourhood food production and distribution by 2020, using a 2010 baseline (this includes private gardens as well as community gardens) | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | Neighbourhood food production and distribution The production, distribution, processing and consumption of food present one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas and carbon production. At the same time, it presents an opportunity to shift towards a more sustainable future. Neighbourhood food production encompasses areas where fresh produce is grown. It may occur on private land (vegetable gardens) or in public areas (community gardens). Warringah’s first community garden was established in Manly Vale in 2010. Council has since formalised its approach to community gardens with the adoption in 2012 of a policy and supporting guidelines for establishing communal gardens in Warringah. Encouraging residents to grow their own food and to buy ‘local’ will enhance our local food assets. Examples of neighbourhood food initiatives include developing additional community gardens, extending educational programs such as those run by Kimbriki, providing support measures such as workshops, school programs and the sale of compost bins and worm farms. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | The sustainable living outcomes that focus on the Warringah community as a whole are based on the following key areas in this section. Energy, which is a core aspect of sustainability broadly, is dealt with in detail in the previous section ‘Climate Change’: • • • • • • • Food waste Neighbourhood food production and distribution | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | Work with local businesses and residents so that there is accessible and timely information about sustainable food and how it can be obtained in the local area | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | 80% less food waste in the general waste stream by 2020, using a 2000 baseline | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | 80% less food waste in the general waste stream by 2020, using a 2000 baseline | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | Encouraging residents to grow their own food and to buy ‘local’ will enhance our local food assets. Examples of neighbourhood food initiatives include developing additional community gardens, extending educational programs such as those run by Kimbriki, providing support measures such as workshops, school programs and the sale of compost bins and worm farms. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | Food waste Waste management in Warringah is designed to encourage waste avoidance and reduction, prevent littering and illegal dumping, recover resources and prevent and avoid hazardous materials. In 2009, Warringah’s waste service was improved to make it easier for residents to recycle and minimising waste going to landfill. Although the population has increased by more than 2% since 2007/08, the total waste to landfill has decreased by 4% and the recycling rate has increased to 55%.5 Council will seek to recover food waste from the kerbside waste collection and recycle this waste through a commercial composting scheme. Progress in food waste recycling would be assessed through regular audits of the collection and recycling process. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | Improve waste separation rates at all our facilities particularly for recyclables and food waste | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | Recover food waste from the general waste stream through a separation process at an approved waste facility | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | The sustainable living outcomes that focus on the Warringah community as a whole are based on the following key areas in this section. Energy, which is a core aspect of sustainability broadly, is dealt with in detail in the previous section ‘Climate Change’: • • • • • • • Food waste | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | Encouraging residents to grow their own food and to buy ‘local’ will enhance our local food assets. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | Work with local businesses and residents so that there is accessible and timely information about sustainable food and how it can be obtained in the local area | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | Council will continue to recognise and support local landholders as primary agents in managing rural land and biodiversity through effective incentive programs. Strategies and Approaches Continue to implement the municipality’s Sustainable Land Management Program which includes the following: • Sustainable Land Management Rate Rebate Scheme • Environmental Works Grants for private landholders • Free land management advice to rural land holders L4.2 • Free educational events and field days. Progressively improve the monitoring and reporting of the Sustainable Land Management Program outcomes to ensure that the overall program is achieving its objectives and that the land management needs of participating landholders are adequately met. L4.3 Assess the effectiveness of the municipality’s core land management incentive program, the Sustainable Land Management Rate Rebate Scheme, every five years to ensure that it is achieving its stated goals and objectives. Implement program improvements to ensure continued effectiveness. L4.4 Develop and implement an annual communications plan for the Sustainable Land Management Program which aims to increase community participation and awareness. L4.5 Seek external funding and support for rural landholders to undertake management works that protect and enhance natural and agricultural values, and ecological systems. L4.6 Facilitate the uptake of external incentives, eco-markets and other programs which provide an alternative income or financial incentive for improving land health and biodiversity. Lead: Sustainability Planning Medium Lead: Sustainability Planning Short Support: Marketing and Communications Lead: Sustainability Planning Ongoing Lead: Sustainability Planning Ongoing Lead: Sustainability Planning Ongoing Responsibility Priority Lead: Sustainability Planning Ongoing | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Whittlesea | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | Employ a rural-agribusiness development officer to support the development of sustainable, viable and alternative uses for rural land within the municipality. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Whittlesea | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-2022 | Sustainable Land Management support Programs – Farm Land Management Rebate Scheme, Environmental Works Grant for Private Landholders, Environmental education and behaviour change program, funding for local environmental groups | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Whittlesea | Metropolitan |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014 – 2022 | Community Capacity building to increase community access to healthy food, skills, knowledge and resources and to celebrate and grow a regional food culture | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014 – 2022 | All households are within 30 minutes of a food store by active transport | Health and Wellbeing | Accessible healthy food retail | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014 – 2022 | Community Capacity building to increase community access to healthy food, skills, knowledge and resources and to celebrate and grow a regional food culture | Health and Wellbeing | Accessible healthy food retail | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014 – 2022 | Given Australia’s growing obesity epidemic, we support improved access to fresh, sustainable food and increasing the capacity of local food production, Council will work with neighbouring councils and local stakeholders to implement priority actions from the Illawarra Food Strategy and Action Plan. | Health and Wellbeing | Accessible healthy food retail | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014 – 2022 | Strategy 4: Improving access and availability to fresh and sustainable foods | Health and Wellbeing | Accessible healthy food retail | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014 – 2022 | Strategy 4: Improving access and availability to fresh and sustainable foods We will implement Priority Actions from the Illawarra Regional Food Strategy and Community Gardens Policy to improve access to fresh, sustainable food. | Health and Wellbeing | Accessible healthy food retail | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014 – 2022 | Enhancement of Local Food Production and Consumption to grow the local food economy and the number of local producers | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014 – 2022 | Given Australia’s growing obesity epidemic, we support improved access to fresh, sustainable food and increasing the capacity of local food production, Council will work with neighbouring councils and local stakeholders to implement priority actions from the Illawarra Food Strategy and Action Plan. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014 – 2022 | Planning and Infrastructure amendments to support food security and access to local food including preservation of agricultural lands and modifying planning schemes to encourage urban agriculture | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |