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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-Western Regional Comprehensive Land Use Strategy Part C –Strategy | protecting agricultural land | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Mid-Western Regional | Regional |
| Mid-Western Regional Comprehensive Land Use Strategy Part C –Strategy | Provide a choice of living opportunities and variety of settlement types. Continue to provide rural small holdings opportunities for hobby farms and emerging rural industries in areas near the urban settlements of Mudgee, Gulgong, Kandos and Rylstone and in some instances surrounding the villages in defined areas | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Mid-Western Regional | Regional |
| Mid-Western Regional Comprehensive Land Use Strategy Part C –Strategy | Running Stream will be retained as rural There should be no rural lifestyle development surrounding Running Stream. Rural lifestyle development in the region will be focused towards nearby Rylstone. The area north of Sofala village (and within the Mid-Western Regional Council local government area boundary) will retain its rural use. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Mid-Western Regional | Regional |
| Mid-Western Regional Comprehensive Land Use Strategy Part C –Strategy | This strategy recognises the need to provide a physical limitation to the growth of the urban land uses into the productive agricultural area to south east. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Mid-Western Regional | Regional |
| Mid-Western Regional Comprehensive Land Use Strategy Part C –Strategy | This strategy supports the retention of the agricultural base and recognises the need to protect land from unnecessary fragmentation and landuse conflict. This can be achieved by clearly identifying its function and purpose by maintaining the critical mass of land for rural purposes. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Mid-Western Regional | Regional |
| Mid-Western Regional Comprehensive Land Use Strategy Part C –Strategy | Whilst the feasibility of these sites are further explored by Council, they will retain their agricultural zoning, as should surrounding land, so as to avoid encroachment of rural lifestyle development that would impact on the suitability for industrial development in the future. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Mid-Western Regional | Regional |
| Mid-Western Regional Comprehensive Land Use Strategy Part C –Strategy | promote the variety of diverse tourism uses in the local government area, by particularly encouraging the establishment of food and wine based local tourism | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Mid-Western Regional | Regional |
| Mid-Western Regional Comprehensive Land Use Strategy Part C –Strategy | 1.4 Objectives A series of objectives for the economy, the environment and for social equity have been identified for the Mid-Western Regional local government area. These are based on the objectives of previous strategies including; the Mudgee Shire Sustainable Development Strategy 2005 (MSSDS), the Rural Residential, Industrial and Residential Strategy 2003 (RR/RS), the Mudgee Shire Rural Strategy 2003 and the Draft Economic Development Strategy. These objectives include: 1.4.1 Economic prosperity • ensure that the economic sustainability of the rural land is maintained and provide for a mixture of agricultural uses • • to reduce the potential for land use conflict and encourage sustainable land use management practices to promote the conservation of agricultural land for primary production purposes | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Mid-Western Regional | Regional |
| Mid-Western Regional Comprehensive Land Use Strategy Part C –Strategy | The Mid-Western Region's Vision 2031 To provide for sustainable growth and development, having regard to the regions unique heritage, environment and rural character, and to support agricultural enterprises and the regions diverse economic base. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Mid-Western Regional | Regional |
| MIDCOAST 2030 Shared Vision, Shared Responsibility Community Strategic Plan 2018-2030 | Encourage the diversification and sustainability of agribusiness through the utilisation of sustainable farming practices, new technologies and innovation | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MIDCOAST 2030 Shared Vision, Shared Responsibility Community Strategic Plan 2018-2030 | Encourage the diversification and sustainability of agribusiness through the utilisation of sustainable farming practices, new technologies and innovation | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MIDCOAST 2030 Shared Vision, Shared Responsibility Community Strategic Plan 2018-2030 | We encourage greater rural and agricultural economic diversity | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Des,na,on Management Plan | 2. Ini(ate a ‘Sharing Our Produce’ capacity building and networking program to encourage greater awareness, use and promo(on of local produce, including food and drink – this may involve an event to bring producers and the hospitality sector together | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Des,na,on Management Plan | 2. Ini(ate a ‘Sharing Our Produce’ capacity building and networking program to encourage greater awareness, use and promo(on of local produce, including food and drink – this may involve an event to bring producers and the hospitality sector together | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Des,na,on Management Plan | 4. Create day or mul,-­‐day i,neraries rela(ng to strategic themes and appealing to target markets, which involve profiling accommoda(on, produce, product and experience providers. These should be incorporated into the MCC Content Strategy (see Priority 5 in the Growing Demand sec(on below) and include: • Food and drink, including Farm Gate Trails • Nature and adventure, for example, cycling touring, bushwalking and kayaking trails, including ‘Junior Discovery’ trails and ‘Waters and Wetlands Tours’ • Outdoor recrea(on opportuni(es and spor(ng facili(es, for example, from golf to rowing, mountain biking or surfing • Vibrant country living, for example saleyards, rodeos and other ’real’ country experiences • Arts and culture, for example, from contemporary art through to Aboriginal cultural experiences | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Des,na,on Management Plan | 4. Develop a cross regional event, such as ‘Soil to the Sea’ or ‘Produce, Plate and Drink’ | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Des,na,on Management Plan | Encourage the con(nued use of Manning Valley Naturally industry-­‐led branding for produce by the agricultural sector (and poten(ally other businesses of the Greater Taree City region) | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Des,na,on Management Plan | Iden(fy local ambassadors who are accessible and can help to liN the percep(on of the region through the PR campaign, including through social media platorms such as Facebook or Instagram – this could include local Aboriginal leaders, ar(sts, ar(sans, farmers, wine-­‐makers, restauranteurs, nature-­‐lovers, local heroes or spor(ng iden((es | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Des,na,on Management Plan | Key ac9ons 1. Review the Council’s planning policies, processes and framework to iden(fy opportuni(es for providing incen,ves that ajract the right type of investment in the visitor economy or to ac(vate and beau(fy precincts, or enable small businesses and trading – for example, this could include opportuni(es to extend or expand on the exis(ng Vibrant Spaces policy, which reduces regula(on and is designed to encourage businesses to make beer u(lisa(on of outdoor areas for dining, sea(ng, pop-­‐up promo(ons and markets etc. It should also encourage and support a beau(fica(on program, for example integra(ng public art. Likewise, this should consider the impact of trading regula(ons on Farm Gate Trails and small or bou(que agricultural producers. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Des,na,on Management Plan | Key priorities 1. Develop a regional events strategy, including ini(a(ng or arac(ng proposals for three events: • ‘Soil to Sea’ produce event or markets to recognise and promote the diverse and seasonal produce or ‘nature’s bounty’ offered by the NSW Mid North Coast region and leverage the global trend rela(ng to experience locally-­‐curated food and drink experiences. This would raise the profile and contribu(on of the region’s agricultural sector. It would also provide insights into and an early ’taste’ of the poten(al for the development of a Manning Valley Soil to Sea Produce Precinct (game changer project). This could involve the rebranding or leveraging of exis(ng markets or events that promote local produce, food and drink | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Des,na,on Management Plan | Manning Valley Soil to Sea Produce Precinct (linked to Taree urban revitalisa(on), which would offer benefits to the local communi(es and business (especially the Manning Valley agricultural sector) as well as visitors | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Des,na,on Management Plan | Nabiac Agricultural Hub -­‐ economic development ini(a(ve with significant benefits and integrated planning for the visitor economy | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Des,na,on Management Plan | The DMP aims to enable a vibrant community and grow the visitor economy through addressing both supply and demand in a region where: • Tourism collaborates with other industry sectors, from agriculture and produce, food and drink and arts and culture; | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Des,na,on Management Plan | 2. Ini(ate a ‘Sharing Our Produce’ capacity building and networking program to encourage greater awareness, use and promo(on of local produce, including food and drink – this may involve an event to bring producers and the hospitality sector together | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Des,na,on Management Plan | Nabiac Agricultural Hub -­‐ economic development ini(a(ve with significant benefits and integrated planning for the visitor economy | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Water’s Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy | Continue to safe drinking water in line with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, overseen by NSW Health. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Water’s Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy | Water Quality MidCoast Water will continue to provide quality drinking water in accordance with our Drinking Water Quality Management Plans. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Water’s Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy | We have improved water quality in the Manning, Bulahdelah and Tea Gardens Schemes over the past several years. Over the next few years, we plan to improve water quality in the Gloucester scheme with the upgrade of the Gloucester Water Treatment Plant and improvements to the Gloucester water distribution system. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Water’s Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy | Agricultural reuse | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |
| MidCoast Water’s Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy | All biosolids from MidCoast Water’s sewage treatment plants are beneficially reused on agricultural properties. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | NSW | Mid-Coast | Regional |