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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAND USE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | Agri-Tourism Opportunities Muswellbrook Shire has a reliance on the natural environment and this is significant for both agriculture and tourism. Local communities and government authorities within the region are supportive of the tourism industry and support the development of linkages with the tourism industry with agribusiness. Tours of the many Thoroughbred Studs whether self-drive or stud visits with a guide are a good example of agri-tourism and Muswellbrook Shire has significant potential to expand tourism in association with agri-business generally. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Muswellbrook | Regional |
| LAND USE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | Future actions: – Investigate eco-tourism opportunities and agri-tourism related opportunities of Muswellbrook Shire. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Muswellbrook | Regional |
| LAND USE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | Encourage the establishment of agribusiness related education and training facilities | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Muswellbrook | Regional |
| LAND USE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | Encourage a diverse mix of housing types including townhouses and apartments, aged care housing, affordable and social housing opportunities and mine workers accommodation | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Muswellbrook | Regional |
| LAND USE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | 17. Rural residential development should not be provided on land that is: (a.) within the separation requirements of coal mining land use activities (b.) within the separation requirements from other uses such as sewage treatment plants or agricultural activities, such as poultry farming and piggeries. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Muswellbrook | Regional |
| LAND USE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | 9. The proposal should include an assessment of the locality’s natural resources, the impact of the proposal on these resources and the measures to be taken to protect those resources, including a description of: (a.) agricultural quality | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Muswellbrook | Regional |
| LAND USE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | Agricultural land use 33. Offset strategies which promote the connectivity of rehabilitated native vegetation with pockets of remnant vegetation or those strategies which promote sustainable farming practices are to be preferred to offset strategies that sterilise or tend to sterilise land historically used for farming. 34. Council will not support the use of land for a coal mining purpose if it would constrain the development of land developable for intensive farming on any alluvial land or any land functionally associated with that alluvium. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Muswellbrook | Regional |
| LAND USE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | Council will not support the use of land for a coal mining purpose if it would cause any ecological damage (whether by an alteration in a catchment boundary, an infestation of exotic species, subsidence, disturbance, a change to water flow or to any aquifer, or the removal of any vegetation) to any alluvial land or any land functionally associated with any alluvial land. Land that can be functionally associated with adjacent high quality agricultural land with appropriate land capability assessment must be rehabilitated to a grassland vegetation structure. Land rehabilitated for potential grazing enterprises will have access to roads, water and utilities and the final land form must be of a suitable geomorphology to allow for functional association with adjacent high quality agricultural land. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Muswellbrook | Regional |
| LAND USE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | Discourage the fragmentation of adjoining prime agricultural land to allow future urban growth | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Muswellbrook | Regional |
| LAND USE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | Encourage the establishment of agribusiness related education and training facilities | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Muswellbrook | Regional |
| LAND USE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | Further rural lifestyle development should not be in conflict from future urban expansion as well as existing prime agricultural lands | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Muswellbrook | Regional |
| LAND USE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | Protection of natural resources 7. The protection of natural resources is of fundamental principle of Council. It is important to ensure that the location of rural residential use and development does not prejudice the long-term availability and management of Shire resources, of land, water, minerals, wind or any other natural resources. 8. Rural residential development is not appropriate on land that: (a) is productive agricultural land | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Muswellbrook | Regional |
| LAND USE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | Strategic Objectives A. To provide residential housing in a rural setting while preserving, and minimising impacts on, environmentally sensitive locations and scenic quality. B. To ensure that rural residential lots do not hinder the proper and orderly development of urban areas in the future. C. To protect and enhance the natural environment and rural landscape D. To avoid residential development on prime agricultural land E. To minimise conflict between agricultural and rural lifestyle land use activities | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Muswellbrook | Regional |
| LAND USE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | The Hunter River and tributaries that present opportunities for agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, equine industries, and emerging boutique tourism activities requires protection. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Muswellbrook | Regional |
| LAND USE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | 11. Encourage greater flexibility into industrial zones to allow processing of local agricultural products and value adding industries | Sustainability and Environment | Local, sustainable food processing | NSW | Muswellbrook | Regional |
| LANDS UNDER KEMPSEY SHIRE COUNCIL JURISDICTION POLICY | To raise awareness of the potential threat of noxious weeds to the agricultural sector. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Kempsey | Regional |
| LANDS UNDER KEMPSEY SHIRE COUNCIL JURISDICTION POLICY | Where large infestations occur which are beyond control in any one season, Council may require that a farm weeds plan be developed in consultation with Council Noxious Weeds Officer and that plan is adhered to in future years. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Kempsey | Regional |
| LANDS UNDER KEMPSEY SHIRE COUNCIL JURISDICTION POLICY | SALEYARDS LIVE-WEIGHT SELLING AND GENERAL OPERATIONS | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Kempsey | Regional |
| LANDS UNDER KEMPSEY SHIRE COUNCIL JURISDICTION POLICY | g) Environmental considerations Market Management will be responsible for ensuring prepared food and ‘drinks’ are provided in re-useable or recyclable containers. The use or sale of plastic bags, balloons or polystyrene products will be strictly prohibited for the dispensing of packaging of sold goods by outdoor market stallholders. Market Management will be responsible for ensuring that stallholders’ eating utensils, serviettes, and stirrers are single use and compostable. Market Management will be responsible for ensuring nothing enters or has the potential to enter stormwater drains and that any waste water is disposed of correctly into sewerage drain as directed by Council officers. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Kempsey | Regional |
| LANDS UNDER KEMPSEY SHIRE COUNCIL JURISDICTION POLICY | All food products will be required to be stored, prepared and packaged for sale in strict accordance with the requirements of the NSW Food Act 2003, Food Regulation 2010, and the Food Standards Code. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Kempsey | Regional |
| LANDS UNDER KEMPSEY SHIRE COUNCIL JURISDICTION POLICY | 6.1.6 Guiding principles and conditions for market operations a) Types of market stalls suitable • Fresh foods, goods and flowers • Cooked foods • Designer and unique goods • Specialist niche market goods e.g. antiques, designers, collectables • Arts and crafts • Fair trade goods | Economic Development | Food related job creation | NSW | Kempsey | Regional |
| LANDS UNDER KEMPSEY SHIRE COUNCIL JURISDICTION POLICY | All food vending vehicles and stalls are to comply with Mobile Food Vending Vehicles Code 2009. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Kempsey | Regional |
| LANDS UNDER KEMPSEY SHIRE COUNCIL JURISDICTION POLICY | 6.1.6 Guiding principles and conditions for market operations a) Types of market stalls suitable • Fresh foods, goods and flowers • Cooked foods • Designer and unique goods • Specialist niche market goods e.g. antiques, designers, collectables • Arts and crafts • Fair trade goods | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | NSW | Kempsey | Regional |
| LANDS UNDER KEMPSEY SHIRE COUNCIL JURISDICTION POLICY | SALEYARDS LIVE-WEIGHT SELLING AND GENERAL OPERATIONS | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Kempsey | Regional |
| LATROBE CITY COUNCIL LOCAL LAW NO. 2 – COMMUNITY AMENITY | KEEPING OF ANIMALS | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Latrobe | Regional |
| LAWS & ENFORCEMENTS – LOCAL ORDERS – POLICY Keeping of Animals and Birds in Upper Hunter Shire | LAWS & ENFORCEMENTS – LOCAL ORDERS – POLICY Keeping of Animals and Birds in Upper Hunter Shire | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Upper Hunter Shire | Regional |
| Leased Community Facilities Pricing Policy | Comply with any applicable food handling requirements | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |
| Leased Community Facilities Pricing Policy | Keep and maintain all kitchen surfaces, appliances and equipment in a clean and working state, (includes rangehoods) Tenant is responsible to maintain, repair and replace all appliances provided by the tenant Comply with any applicable food handling requirements | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |
| Leased Community Facilities Pricing Policy | Keep and maintain all kitchen surfaces, appliances and equipment in a clean and working state, includes rangehoods | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |
| Leased Community Facilities Pricing Policy | The Food Act 1994 requires that all tenant organisations that sell food must be registered with Council. The registration requires a Food Safety Program and Food Safety Supervisor. Council offers the appropriate training to community groups. Organisations must register annually and registration forms are sent out in November of each year. The tenant organisation must maintain food handling, storage and preparation areas in a clean and hygienic state and implement a regular program which ensures that contact surfaces, appliances, equipment, floors and non contact surfaces are regularly cleaned. Storage, handling, preparation and sale of food must comply with the Food Act requirements and any other conditions prescribed by Council’s Health and Local Laws Unit. If the tenant organisation is not registered with Council and want to organise a temporary food stall at their premises or in other locations then they will need to apply for a Temporary Food Premises permit. The permit application form can be downloaded from Council’s website. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |