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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Shire Rural Land Strategy | Investigate a Land Management Biodiversity Incentive Scheme that recognizes and rewards landowners that implement land management principles and practices to improve sustainable agricultural opportunities and protect and enrich the environment | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Alpine | Regional |
| Alpine Shire Rural Land Strategy | Investigate suitable housing locations for dairy and seasonal horticultural farm workers –farm workers may not need to live on the farm, however they do require suitable accommodation near the farm. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Alpine | Regional |
| Alpine Shire Rural Land Strategy | Liaise with the state government to provide extension support for farmers and more research and development facilities in the North East that can assist farmers in cool climate farming practices. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Alpine | Regional |
| Alpine Shire Rural Land Strategy | Objective 1, Transport and infrastructure: Facilitate appropriate infrastructure to support agricultural and rural tourism uses and growth. Strategies:  Provide an adequate level of infrastructure to service agricultural, commercial and tourism uses and developments in rural areas.  Provide appropriate infrastructure to support agricultural growth, maintaining a safe and efficient road network in the municipality. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Alpine | Regional |
| Alpine Shire Rural Land Strategy | Objective 3, Rural industries and value adding: Facilitate rural industries and value adding in rural areas that support the agricultural sector. Strategies:  Encourage rural industries that specifically support the agricultural sector. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Alpine | Regional |
| Alpine Shire Rural Land Strategy |  Attract and develop value adding opportunities for rural industries to diversify the economy and maximise employment opportunities in rural areas.  Encourage well designed, sustainable rural industries that enhance the visual amenity of rural areas. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Alpine | Regional |
| Alpine Shire Rural Land Strategy |  Ensure that rural subdivision maintains agricultural production and does not impact on the right to farm. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Alpine | Regional |
| Alpine Shire Rural Land Strategy |  Facilitate the growth of key agricultural activities and associated rural industries to maintain and enhance the economic base of the municipality.  Support and encourage the expansion of the horticultural industry, recognising that horticultural activities may be legitimately established on smaller allotments. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Alpine | Regional |
| Alpine Shire Rural Land Strategy |  Support and maintain the cattle industry.  Facilitate the growth and expansion of farms, recognising industry requirements for incremental growth.  Facilitate the potential diversification and value adding in agriculture to enhance the economic viability of the industry. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Alpine | Regional |
| Alternatives to Bottled Water Policy | OBJECTIVES The objectives of this policy are to: o avoid the use of bottled water in Council operations o provide alternatives to bottled water o reduce waste and resource use. POLICY STATEMENT Council recognises the negative impact bottled water has on the environment and natural resources. Council also recognises the priority to avoid generating waste from single use, disposable packaging, such as from bottled water, where there is another option available. Bottled water requires resources and embodied energy for its production and distribution. There is also an impact of litter and plastic pollution affecting waterways. Council aims to be a leader in the community by promoting and providing alternatives to bottled water. Council will provide alternatives to bottled water at every available opportunity across all of Council’s functions as a retailer, employer, function holder and meeting facilitator. Council will promote alternatives to single use, disposable bottled water by encouraging people to bring reusable water bottles and providing reusable cups where possible. Council will also encourage waste minimisation by providing recycling facilities to maximise resource recovery where this is logistically feasible. Council encourages private stall holders at Council public events to embrace this initiative. Council’s portable water bottle refill station can be used for outdoor events and is available for community run events. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Wingecarribee | Metropolitan |
| Alternatives to Bottled Water Policy | OBJECTIVES The objectives of this policy are to: o avoid the use of bottled water in Council operations o provide alternatives to bottled water o reduce waste and resource use. POLICY STATEMENT Council recognises the negative impact bottled water has on the environment and natural resources. Council also recognises the priority to avoid generating waste from single use, disposable packaging, such as from bottled water, where there is another option available. Bottled water requires resources and embodied energy for its production and distribution. There is also an impact of litter and plastic pollution affecting waterways. Council aims to be a leader in the community by promoting and providing alternatives to bottled water. Council will provide alternatives to bottled water at every available opportunity across all of Council’s functions as a retailer, employer, function holder and meeting facilitator. Council will promote alternatives to single use, disposable bottled water by encouraging people to bring reusable water bottles and providing reusable cups where possible. Council will also encourage waste minimisation by providing recycling facilities to maximise resource recovery where this is logistically feasible. Council encourages private stall holders at Council public events to embrace this initiative. Council’s portable water bottle refill station can be used for outdoor events and is available for community run events. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Wingecarribee | Metropolitan |
| Amenity Local Law | Keeping of animals – secure confinement | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Nillumbik | Metropolitan |
| AMENITY LOCAL LAW | Number of animals: | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Boroondara | Metropolitan |
| AMENITY, ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY PROTECTION LOCAL LAW | Restriction on the Number of Animals that May be Kept on any Land | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Mansfield | Regional |
| an inclusive RANDWICK CITY | Target Issue 5: Addressing affordable rental housing and homelessness issues Action Key Responsibility within Council Actively participate in reducing homelessness in Randwick City through the Inner Sydney Homelessness Interagency and advocate for training programs to assist service providers identify clients who are at risk for referral purposes Continue to refer homeless individuals to appropriate services such as the Homeless Persons Information Centre Council officers to continue to informally interact daily with people who are ‘rough sleeping’ to maintain an understanding of each person, their safety and welfare Continue to implement the Council’s Affordable Housing Strategy and Affordable Rental Housing Program Continue to liaise closely with Housing NSW regarding local planning and service provision issues through its Strategic Partnership Advisory Group meetings and UNSW student housing issues CPP Timeframe Ongoing CPP Ongoing CPP/Public Officers CP CP Ongoing On-going On-going | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Randwick | Metropolitan |
| an inclusive RANDWICK CITY | The Council has also implemented a range of initiatives designed to retain and encourage affordable housing in the Local Government Area (LGA). | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Randwick | Metropolitan |
| an inclusive RANDWICK CITY | A community garden project at Namatjira, Chifley, involving disadvantaged and vulnerable groups | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Randwick | Metropolitan |
| an inclusive RANDWICK CITY | Examples of partnership projects or program developed with community organisations in response to an identified need or critical issues include: • Healthy living and wellbeing workshops for older people held in partnership with local community based service providers • Breakfast program at La Perouse Public School | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Randwick | Metropolitan |
| an inclusive RANDWICK CITY | Provision of food vouchers to people experiencing disadvantage | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Randwick | Metropolitan |
| an inclusive RANDWICK CITY | Rental subsidy program Under this program, the Council provides $980,000 in annual rental subsidies to community organisations. Service providers using Councilowned buildings at substantially discounted rent include neighbourhood centres, baby health and childcare centres, kindergartens, youth services, meals on wheels and family day care. | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Randwick | Metropolitan |
| an inclusive RANDWICK CITY | Community gardens projects | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Randwick | Metropolitan |
| an inclusive RANDWICK CITY | A community garden project at Namatjira, Chifley, involving disadvantaged and vulnerable groups | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Randwick | Metropolitan |
| an inclusive RANDWICK CITY | Develop a community gardening policy, including (possibly) potential sites that are appropriate for community gardens for sustainability, nutritional and recreational outcomes | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Randwick | Metropolitan |
| an inclusive RANDWICK CITY | The Council’s staff is already working with government agencies and service providers in the development of a number of community garden projects for specific neighbourhood groups. However on a broader level, the Council recognises the need to formally develop a community gardening policy aimed at achieving nutritional and positive social outcomes. The development of such a policy is included as an action within this Plan. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Randwick | Metropolitan |
| an inclusive RANDWICK CITY | • Therapeutic gardening workshop • Community gardens projects | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Randwick | Metropolitan |
| an inclusive RANDWICK CITY | A community garden project at Namatjira, Chifley, involving disadvantaged and vulnerable groups | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Randwick | Metropolitan |
| an inclusive RANDWICK CITY | Develop a community gardening policy, including (possibly) potential sites that are appropriate for community gardens for sustainability, nutritional and recreational outcomes | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Randwick | Metropolitan |
| an inclusive RANDWICK CITY | The Council’s staff is already working with government agencies and service providers in the development of a number of community garden projects for specific neighbourhood groups. However on a broader level, the Council recognises the need to formally develop a community gardening policy aimed at achieving nutritional and positive social outcomes. The development of such a policy is included as an action within this Plan. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Randwick | Metropolitan |
| Animal Management Policy | Keeping of Animals | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| ANNUAL ACTION PLAN 2019-2020 | Develop and market a prospectus to attract investment in Intensive Animal industry (poultry) | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Corangamite | Regional |