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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 | (b) Encourage employment opportunities in Maitland’s rural areas • Co-ordinate the planning, funding and provision of key physical and service infrastructure to support economic activity and provide incentives for local investment. • Protect the integrity of Maitland’s agricultural lands by introducing the ‘right to farm’ policies in order that farms remain economically sustainable. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 | 4.3 Economic Management • Protect the underlying agricultural potential of Maitland’s rural lands and encourage a range of sustainable agricultural enterprises. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 | 5.1 Agricultural Zone The primary characteristic of land within the proposed Agricultural zone is its suitability for existing and potential intensive agricultural uses. In addition, most of the land within this zone shares the characteristic of being flood prone, which imposes a natural limitation on existing and future land use. Maitland’s prime agricultural lands (i.e. Class 1 and 2 Agricultural Suitability) are described by the former NSW Department of Agriculture as being of local, regional and state significance for agricultural production. Therefore, the fundamental goal of land use planning for these areas should be the protection and enhancement of this agriculture potential. Given that agricultural activities and production is inherently changeable, agriculturally suitable land should be identified for its potential, irrespective of whether the land is currently being used in association with intensive agriculture. The Department of Primary Industries (DIP) supports the retention of agricultural land to ensure sustainable agricultural development and production opportunities in the medium to long term. The approximate boundaries for the proposed Agricultural Zone would generally correspond with the current 1(a) Prime Agricultural Zone. It would comprise land up to the 1 in 100 year flood and include some areas that are expected to have an ongoing association with agriculture on the floodplain. The value of the areas above the flood standard relates to the need for flood free refuges. These higher areas may also provide opportunities for buffers between higher intensity agricultural uses and surrounding residential development and provide sites for dwellings in association with agricultural activities. These areas often have a strong link to the agricultural character of the surrounding lands. There will not always be a direct correlation between flooding, soil quality and land use in the application of the Agricultural Zone. The principal objectives of the propose Agricultural Zone would include measures to: MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 Page 70 • Promote and maintain economic and environmentally sustainable agriculture. • Prevent fragmentation of agricultural land. • Preserve the rural landscape of Maitland’s floodplain areas. • Reduce the incidence of conflict between land uses. • Mitigate against land degradation and improve water quality. • Limit the impacts of flooding. • Protect the amenity of existing residents. • Conserve and enhance native vegetation. • Conserve and protect the cultural heritage values of the LGA. This zone is generally consistent with the Intensive Agriculture zone proposed in the draft Standard LEP template, exhibited by the Department of Planning in September 2005 | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 | 6.3 Economic Management (a) Protect the underlying agricultural potential of Maitland’s rural lands and encourage a range of sustainable agricultural enterprises. MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 Page 81 • Ensure the provision of adequate buffers (either in the form of separation distances, vegetative buffers or a combination of both) between potentially conflicting land uses. • Investigate amendments to Maitland LEP 1993 to create a new agricultural zone and strengthen statutory controls that would provide operational certainty for agricultural. • Limit further fragmentation of agricultural land to ensure its long-term viability for agriculture. • Identify and promote local and regional programs that provide incentives to encourage the retention and growth of agriculture | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 | 7.5 Central Floodplain The Central Floodplain area of Maitland includes the Bolwarra and Lorn flats, Pitnacree, Phoenix Park and the rural areas of Raworth. This area comprises fertile alluvial flood plains, affected by frequent inundation and potentially hazardous flooding. Smaller allotments are typical of this rural area, due to the historical pattern of development and agriculture. The most common land use is intensive agriculture, with a large number of turf farmers, cropping, flower and vegetable production in this area. Rural dwellings are limited to elevated fringes of the Central Floodplain, and some isolated levees. Outcomes: This area is to be maintained for agricultural production and further dwellings are not encouraged in this area. No changes are recommended to the LEP provisions applying to the Central Floodplain. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 | 9 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS The purpose of an indicator is to determine how conditions or trends compare with desirable outcomes. It is recommended that the following indicators be adopted to guide the initial monitoring and evaluation of the Rural Lands Strategy. Desirable Outcomes include: 1. protection of significant natural resources, including prime agricultural land and mineral resources | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 | Agriculture will remain an important industry for the City and its protection and support will need to be maintained. Prime agricultural land should therefore not be subjected to unnecessary fragmentation. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 | Council considered rural residential development in Duckenfield in 2005, and resolved that no further investigations be undertaken at this stage for Duckenfield, but that the suitability for longer term development be considered in the Maitland Urban Settlement Strategy. Outcomes Having regard to ‘best rural planning principles’ the area should be retained for intensive agricultural and compatible rural land uses. There does not appear to be any significant opportunities for urban development that would be MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 Page 87 sympathetic with the surrounding rural activities. The suitability of the area for rural residential development may be reviewed following planning investigations for urban and rural residential areas in the MUSS. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 | Outcomes: It is recommended that further subdivision be limited within the Gosforth/ Anambah area enable future consideration of the land for urban development. MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 Page 92 Consolidation of rural holdings, or intermediate agricultural enterprises will however be considered and encouraged. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 | The aims and objectives of the Strategy are: • To provide the basis for appropriate, relevant and on-going planning for Maitland’s rural areas; • To ensure that environmental, social and economic considerations are integrated into the decision-making processes relating to rural land uses; • To work towards opportunities to repair, enhance and protect biodiversity and promote environmentally sustainable land uses; • To avoid where possible, and better manage rural land use conflicts; MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 Page 66 • To provide for a greater degree of certainty for existing and future agricultural and rural industry operators; • To promote economic and environmental sustainable agricultural land uses through the use of appropriate management policies, planning instruments and best practice guidelines; | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 | The approximate boundaries of the proposed General Rural Zone would correspond with the existing 1(b) Secondary Rural Zone. It is proposed to permit and encourage rural tourism, rural industries and agricultural activities that complement the scenic and rural character of the locality. The principal objectives of the General Rural Zone would include measures to: • Preserve and enhance the rural landscape and rural character of the LGA. • Promote and maintain economic and environmental sustainable agriculture and rural production. • Ensure that development retains the existing landscape values, which includes a distinctive agricultural component. • Encourage appropriate tourist development consistent with the rural landscape of the LGA. • Conserve and enhance native vegetation. • Mitigate against land degradation and improve water quality. • Reduce the incidence of conflict between land uses. • Conserve and protect cultural heritage values of the LGA. This zone is generally consistent with the Rural zone identified in the draft Standard LEP template, exhibited by the Department of Planning in September 2005. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| MAITLAND RURAL STRATEGY 2005 | • Investigate the feasibility of a local grower’s market and the capacity for farmgate sales to enable growers to sell their produce locally. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| Maitland Urban Settlement Strategy 2001-2020 | 2.2.3 Urban Development Program Council is participating in a regional urban development program (UDP) with representatives from the NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure, other Lower Hunter councils, infrastructure providers and the development industry. This group will consider where services and infrastructure should be provided to achieve logical, efficient and affordable housing in the region. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| Maitland Urban Settlement Strategy 2001-2020 | In addition, this Strategy also proposes planned and coordinated urban re-development within the existing key centres of Central Maitland, Rutherford, Thornton and East Maitland. The MUSS recognises that the consolidation of these centres offers a sustainable balance to greenfield urban development. Urban infill and urban extension development utilises existing infrastructure, providing a mix of housing types and affordability, all with good access to public transport; community services; employment and retail opportunities. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| Maitland Urban Settlement Strategy 2001-2020 | In summary, this Strategy provides for a range of urban and employment land uses, in a staged manner considering the short and long-term development demands. A variety of housing types are catered for, including large lifestyle lots and affordable small lot housing. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| Maitland Urban Settlement Strategy 2001-2020 | The MUSS provides the broad direction for future urban growth in the Maitland LGA. The Strategy aims to provide both flexibility and certainty by maintaining a generous supply of land for residential growth on a number of development fronts throughout the Maitland LGA, without rezoning too much land ahead of market demand. p 11 | Maitland Urban Settlement Strategy 2012 Maitland City Council It provides for a logical urban hierarchy, within the context of the unique range of natural and man-made constraints in the Maitland LGA, including the City's rural and historical character, prime agricultural land and sensitive environment. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Maitland | Regional |
| Making Ballarat Central The CBD Strategy 2017 – 2021 Action Plan | Seek to encourage new migrants to Australia in Ballarat to add to the diversity of dining options through the establishment of ethnic food based restaurants. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Ballarat | Regional |
| Making Ballarat Central The CBD Strategy 2017 – 2021 Action Plan | A10 Position the Ballarat CBD as the food and wine capital of the western region. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Ballarat | Regional |
| Making Ballarat Central The CBD Strategy 2017 – 2021 Action Plan | Encourage local food sourcing. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Ballarat | Regional |
| Making Ballarat Central The CBD Strategy 2017 – 2021 Action Plan | intention to provide a weekly laneway Food Truck, Hop Temple is likely to significantly contribute to encouraging the arts and pedestrian along the northern end of The Lane | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Ballarat | Regional |
| Making Ballarat Central The CBD Strategy 2017 – 2021 Action Plan | Position the Ballarat CBD as the food and wine capital of the western region. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Ballarat | Regional |
| Making Ballarat Central The CBD Strategy 2017 – 2021 Action Plan | Position the Ballarat CBD as the food and wine capital of the western region. I | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Ballarat | Regional |
| Making Ballarat Central The CBD Strategy 2017 – 2021 Action Plan | Tuck Truck Tuesdays Tuck Truck Tuesdays operated for a total of 6 weeks in conjunction with the Archibald Prize Touring Exhibition at Alfred Deakin Place. The square accommodated approximately 5 food trucks as well as the pop up bar Pickles, and included entertainment in the form of music and art installations. The first three weeks saw attendance double, and at its peak approximately 1800 people attended. Following on from the Success of Tuck Truck Tuesdays, Hop Temple introduced Food Truck Wednesdays. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Ballarat | Regional |
| Making Ballarat Central The CBD Strategy 2017 Р2021 Action Plan | 8.7 Consider options for a range of new uses on surplus VicTrack land and buildings. Bluestone sheds: markets, performance spaces, gallery, art workshops such as Melbourne’s Meat Market, micro-brewery. | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Ballarat | Regional |
| Making Ballarat Central The CBD Strategy 2017 Р2021 Action Plan | Consider options for a range of new uses on surplus VicTrack land and buildings. Bluestone sheds: markets, performance spaces, gallery, art workshops such as Melbourne’s Meat Market, microbrewery. | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Ballarat | Regional |
| Making Ballarat Central The CBD Strategy 2017 Р2021 Action Plan | Encourage local food sourcing. • Establish a food co-op using locally sourced goods in conjunction with the farmers market. | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Ballarat | Regional |
| Making Ballarat Central The CBD Strategy 2017 Р2021 Action Plan | Facilitate additional on-street food retailing including outdoor cafés and local produce / coffee carts in the retail core areas and for events. | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Ballarat | Regional |
| Making Ballarat Central The CBD Strategy 2017 – 2021 Action Plan | Instigate the re-establishment of a market (eg farmers, art, craft, second hand) in the CBD involving temporary or part street closure as necessary(Eg Town Hall Plaza) Consider holding it every Sunday and establishing its identity through branding (eg flags, banners) | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Ballarat | Regional |
| Making Ballarat Central The CBD Strategy 2017 – 2021 Action Plan | Investigate weekend markets in Sturt St, temporary Town Hall Plaza or supermarket carparks (e.g. Farmers, Art & Craft, Trash & Treasure) | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Ballarat | Regional |
| Making Ballarat Central The CBD Strategy 2017 – 2021 Action Plan | Markets (art, food, antiques), performance and exhibition spaces. | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Ballarat | Regional |