Australian Local Food System Policy Database

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 titleRelevant text in the policyDomainTopicStateLocal Government nameCouncil type
Age Well Live Well Strategy & Access and Inclusion Plan Rural and Remote Meals Shopping bus for Rural and Remote clients Health and Wellbeing Accessible healthy food retail Victoria Moorabool Regional
Aged & Disability Service Access Policy Shopping Health and Wellbeing Accessible healthy food retail Victoria Wyndham Metropolitan
AGED CARE QUALITY STANDARDS – STANDARD 4 SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR DAILY LIVING 4.6 Varied meals of suitable quality and quantity are provided Health and Wellbeing Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies NSW Gilgandra Regional
AGED CARE QUALITY STANDARDS – STANDARD 4 SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR DAILY LIVING 4.6 Varied meals of suitable quality and quantity are provided Health and Wellbeing Nutrition in vulnerable populations NSW Gilgandra Regional
Ageing Strategy 2020-22. Conduct, with at least one target audience of older people, an education program that facilitates community understanding of food and green waste that diverts waste from landfill. Health and Wellbeing Education/events on food system issues NSW Muswellbrook Regional
Ageing Strategy 2020-22. Conduct, with at least one target audience of older people, an education program that facilitates community understanding of food and green waste that diverts waste from landfill. Food Waste Food losses and food waste NSW Muswellbrook Regional
Ageing Well in Nillumbik Action Plan 2019-2022 connected and able to access shops, health facilities and other essential ser Health and Wellbeing Accessible healthy food retail Victoria Nillumbik Metropolitan
Ageing Well in Nillumbik Action Plan 2019-2022 such as house cleaning or shopping. AGEING WELL IN NILLUMBIK ACTION PLAN Health and Wellbeing Accessible healthy food retail Victoria Nillumbik Metropolitan
Ageing Well in Nillumbik Action Plan 2019-2022 to transport services to access shops, Health and Wellbeing Accessible healthy food retail Victoria Nillumbik Metropolitan
Ageing Well Strategy 2018-2022 3. Housing • To enable older people to have access to a range of affordable housing options which supports them to remain living in the community as their needs change. Social Policy Affordable housing NSW Federation Regional
Ageing Well Strategy 2018-2022 Theme 3: Housing An age-friendly community provides sufficient, affordable, well-designed and safe housing options that are close to services and transport. It also has sufficient and affordable home maintenance, home modification and home support services to assist ageing in place. Goal To enable older people to have access to a range of affordable housing options which supports them to remain living in the community as their needs change. Social Policy Affordable housing NSW Federation Regional
Ageing Well Strategy 2018-2022 To enable older people to have access to a range of affordable housing options which supports them to remain living in the community as their needs change. Social Policy Affordable housing NSW Federation Regional
Ageing Well Strategy 2018-2022 Council predominantly supports health via public health and health promotion initiatives that make healthy choices easy choices through healthy environments, policies and activities e.g. clean water, shade, walking tracks, nutrition policies, smoke free enforcements and social connection activities. Health and Wellbeing Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies NSW Federation Regional
Ageing Well Strategy 2018-2022 Theme 3: Housing An age-friendly community provides sufficient, affordable, well-designed and safe housing options that are close to services and transport. It also has sufficient and affordable home maintenance, home modification and home support services to assist ageing in place. Goal To enable older people to have access to a range of affordable housing options which supports them to remain living in the community as their needs change Health and Wellbeing Accessible healthy food retail NSW Federation Regional
Agribusiness Masterplan 2019 – 2024 Champion environmental initiatives that increase sustainability and enhance performance Sustainability and Environment Sustainable local food production NSW Edward River Regional
Agribusiness Masterplan 2019 – 2024 Explore opportunities to extract revenues from environmental remediation initiatives Sustainability and Environment Sustainable local food production NSW Edward River Regional
Agribusiness Masterplan 2019 – 2024 Host local events that expose agribusiness operators to new thinking (emerging technologies, new farming models, success stories from other places, inspirational guest speakers, farm tours, field trials) Sustainability and Environment Sustainable local food production NSW Edward River Regional
Agribusiness Masterplan 2019 – 2024 Maximise our water assets Sustainability and Environment Sustainable water management in food production NSW Edward River Regional
Agribusiness Masterplan 2019 – 2024 Platform 4 Rationale: Maximise our water assets Our water resources and infrastructure are major assets that need to be protected and leveraged Programs 4.1 4.2 4.3 Actively participate in the efforts of the Riverina & Murray Joint Organisation of Councils group to strategically advocate for a fairer outcome for the region in government water policy Ensure that maximum value is extracted from the available water through informed enterprise choice and improved water literacy (see Platform 2) Attract more high security water from elsewhere into the system by encouraging higher value enterprises such as permanent horticulture to develop here 4.4 Continue to drive on-farm water efficiency through new farming techniques and irrigation best practise 4.5 Promote opportunities for agricultural enterprises that deliver greater water efficiency including successful dryland farming models 4.6 Work with MIL and its shareholders to ensure the long term viability and delivery efficiency of the system 4.7 30 4.8 Actively participate in the the environmental initiatives that protect our natural water assets Desired outcome: A greater return to the region per Mg of water Work with basin stakeholders, especially MIL, to improve communication about water availability, stability and predictability of supply to give businesses the opportunity for long term planning Sustainability and Environment Sustainable water management in food production NSW Edward River Regional
Agribusiness Masterplan 2019 – 2024 Attract the capital vital for growth Economic Development Food related job creation NSW Edward River Regional
Agribusiness Masterplan 2019 – 2024 Develop a ‘fast track’ process to facilitate new agribusinesses developments or expansion of existing businesses Economic Development Food related job creation NSW Edward River Regional
Agribusiness Masterplan 2019 – 2024 Encourage the next generation to apply for available overseas study tours and work experiences Economic Development Food related job creation NSW Edward River Regional
Agribusiness Masterplan 2019 – 2024 Platform 3 Rationale: Equip our people for a new normal Our leaders, employers and employees will all require new skill sets to thrive in the new normal Programs 3.1 Facilitate professional skill development in areas such as financial literacy, HR, marketing and business analysis 3.2 3.3 3.4 Raise awareness of the opportunity to deliver industry specific training through TAFE or other education and training providers Educate business owners on the importance of investing in ongoing training and skill development for themselves and their teams Explore the potential for a seasonal labour share program or other innovative work models that enable us to retain skilled workers in the region 3.5 Help facilitate new work opportunities for retrenched processing workers 3.6 Promote to agribusiness owners/managers the critical importance of providing a fulfilling and safe workplace environment and career pathways 3.7 Encourage greater cultural diversity by attracting foreign workers to the area to fill specific needs 3.8 Connect and support young agribusiness to attend the available leadership development programs 3.9 Engage with our schools to build agribusiness into their curriculums and promote the career opportunities Desired outcome: Skilled and motivated personnel equipped for the new normal Economic Development Food related job creation NSW Edward River Regional
Agribusiness Masterplan 2019 – 2024 Promote the pathways for younger farmers into farm ownership (e.g. share farming, management buy-out) Economic Development Food related job creation NSW Edward River Regional
Agribusiness Masterplan 2019 – 2024 Enhance & support our agritourism capability Economic Development Local food initiatives for economic development NSW Edward River Regional
Agribusiness Masterplan 2019 – 2024 Promote the benefits of local trade, shopping locally and forming strategic alliances with other businesses in the region through networking and introductions Economic Development Local food initiatives for economic development NSW Edward River Regional
Agribusiness Masterplan 2019 – 2024 Foster a culture that embraces new ideas Extract more value from our outputs Equip our people for a new normal Maximise our water assets Attract the capital vital for growth Support business transition Inspire confidence in our future Economic Development Local food producers NSW Edward River Regional
Agribusiness Masterplan 2019 – 2024 Linkage to burning issues Links between platforms and burning issues: " # $ % & ' ( Foster a culture that embraces new ideas Extract more value from our outputs Equip our people for a new normal Maximise our water assets Attract the capital for growth Support business transition Inspire confidence in our future 4 No strategic and cohesive approach to water advocacy 2 Retaining maximum value in the economy from the available water 2 The reliance on irrigated cropping which faces increasing volatility 1 The importance of a culture of innovation and openness to new ideas and business models to adjust to the ‘new normal’ 5 The need to attract capital to build necessary scale, mechanisation and intensification 3 Farming enterprises will require enhanced financial literacy, adaptability and business acumen in the ‘new normal’ 3 Agribusinesses seek reliable workers with shifting skill sets 4 Providing options for small scale farming or diversification by stimulating agritourism and value-adding 6 Assisting unprofitable farms to transition with dignity 6 Supporting business transition and entry opportunities for young farmers 4 Improving connectivity in order to lift uptake of technology 7 Recognising the situation for wider community impacted by the recent volatility 7 Need for a ‘voice of agribusiness’ within Council due to its economic importance Economic Development Local food producers NSW Edward River Regional
Agribusiness Masterplan 2019 – 2024 Platform 3 Rationale: Equip our people for a new normal Our leaders, employers and employees will all require new skill sets to thrive in the new normal Programs 3.1 Facilitate professional skill development in areas such as financial literacy, HR, marketing and business analysis 3.2 3.3 3.4 Raise awareness of the opportunity to deliver industry specific training through TAFE or other education and training providers Educate business owners on the importance of investing in ongoing training and skill development for themselves and their teams Explore the potential for a seasonal labour share program or other innovative work models that enable us to retain skilled workers in the region 3.5 Help facilitate new work opportunities for retrenched processing workers 3.6 Promote to agribusiness owners/managers the critical importance of providing a fulfilling and safe workplace environment and career pathways 3.7 Encourage greater cultural diversity by attracting foreign workers to the area to fill specific needs 3.8 Connect and support young agribusiness to attend the available leadership development programs 3.9 Engage with our schools to build agribusiness into their curriculums and promote the career opportunities Desired outcome: Skilled and motivated personnel equipped for the new normal Economic Development Local food producers NSW Edward River Regional
Agribusiness Masterplan 2019 – 2024 Platform 5 Rationale: Attract the capital vital for growth The scale, intensification and technology necessary to be viable in the new normal will require capital Programs 5.1 Build investor readiness in larger farm, value-adding, permanent horticulture and allied supply businesses 5.2 Elevate the region’s profile within the corporate agribusiness investor community through positive messaging about the many opportunities 5.3 5.4 Develop a ‘fast track’ process to facilitate new agribusinesses developments or expansion of existing businesses Fully resource the agribusiness development capability within Council 5.5 Educate local agribusinesses about capital raising/ investor options and connect with potential partners 5.6 Work with State Government resources to attract ‘significant’ in-bound investment 5.7 Attract new investors to the region – particularly in value-adding enterprises 5.8 Connect local businesses with grant funding opportunities Desired outcome: Increased investment in scale and intensification as well as new businesses Economic Development Local food producers NSW Edward River Regional