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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Agriculture Strategy 2019-23 | 1.3 Facilitate relationship between community groups and landowners, supporting long and short-term urban agriculture opportunities | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategic Plan Banyule City Council Urban Forests, Naturally Benefitting our Community | Ensure Banyule’s community Garden Policy/Guidelines reflects the directions of the Urban Forest Strategic Plan. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategic Plan Banyule City Council Urban Forests, Naturally Benefitting our Community | Ensure Banyule’s community Garden Policy/Guidelines reflects the directions of the Urban Forest Strategic Plan. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy | Council will expand existing education and communication to inform the community of the benefits of the urban forest including initiatives such as: • My Smart Garden workshops | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Whitehorse | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy | Council will expand existing education and communication to inform the community of the benefits of the urban forest including initiatives such as: • My Smart Garden workshops | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Whitehorse | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2016 – 2046 | Urban Agriculture Public land can develop a variety of open spaces uses, including play, nature, grassland and urban agriculture. There is interest from the community in developing areas throughout the municipality for urban agriculture. Urban agriculture focuses on growing food locally, and encouraging the community to work together. This fosters community pride of place and belonging which are important attributes to achieving a strong resilient community. Urban agriculture supports the Urban Forest through encouraging species that aid in pollination which creates food for birds. It also increases the diversity of the urban forest through a range of tree and shrub species and involves our community in healthy living practices. Water is also trapped and used for productive purposes, reducing storm water runoff. There are many parcels of land and naturestrips within the municipality that will not be developed, this creates an opportunity for food growing, provided they are managed by the community and work with the functionality of the context of the space. Action: Support community led food growing opportunities on publicly owned vacant land | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2016 – 2046 | Support community led food growing opportunities Urban Design, City Strategy, Community Planning and Engagement | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2016 – 2046 | Urban Agriculture Public land can develop a variety of open spaces uses, including play, nature, grassland and urban agriculture. There is interest from the community in developing areas throughout the municipality for urban agriculture. Urban agriculture focuses on growing food locally, and encouraging the community to work together. This fosters community pride of place and belonging which are important attributes to achieving a strong resilient community. Urban agriculture supports the Urban Forest through encouraging species that aid in pollination which creates food for birds. It also increases the diversity of the urban forest through a range of tree and shrub species and involves our community in healthy living practices. Water is also trapped and used for productive purposes, reducing storm water runoff. There are many parcels of land and naturestrips within the municipality that will not be developed, this creates an opportunity for food growing, provided they are managed by the community and work with the functionality of the context of the space. Action: Support community led food growing opportunities on publicly owned vacant land | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2016 – 2046 | Support community led food growing opportunities Urban Design, City Strategy, Community Planning and Engagement | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2016 – 2046 | Urban Agriculture Public land can develop a variety of open spaces uses, including play, nature, grassland and urban agriculture. There is interest from the community in developing areas throughout the municipality for urban agriculture. Urban agriculture focuses on growing food locally, and encouraging the community to work together. This fosters community pride of place and belonging which are important attributes to achieving a strong resilient community. Urban agriculture supports the Urban Forest through encouraging species that aid in pollination which creates food for birds. It also increases the diversity of the urban forest through a range of tree and shrub species and involves our community in healthy living practices. Water is also trapped and used for productive purposes, reducing storm water runoff. There are many parcels of land and naturestrips within the municipality that will not be developed, this creates an opportunity for food growing, provided they are managed by the community and work with the functionality of the context of the space. Action: Support community led food growing opportunities on publicly owned vacant land | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Brimbank | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2027 | Murnong Festival Harvest Festival The traditional staple food of Aboriginal people of South East Australia, the Murnong (or Yam-Daisy) is now close to extinction on much of the grassy plains that spread across the northern and western district. The annual Murnong Harvest Festival is a good example of celebrating place, cultural traditions and traditional plants which also acknowledges the strength and significance of ongoing access to, and celebration of, land and country. Murnong and other plants that are important to the Wurundjeri people, are part of a cultural land restoration project on the URBAN FOREST STRATEGY 2017-2027 Merri Creek on Connolly Avenue, Coburg by the Merri and Edgars Creek Confluence Area Restoration Group (MECCARG) in collaboration with the Wurundjeri Council. Every year in November, the community celebrates the Murnong harvest festival and learns about and engages in Wurundjeri culture. Activities typically include: a tanderum ceremony; traditional dance performance and dreamtime stories; boomerang painting and throwing; spear throwing demonstrations; didgeridoo lessons; craft stalls; and of course the Murnong harvest and bake. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2027 | Productive trees can supplement urban fresh food production. Council supports increasing fruit and vegetable intake, normalising the growing of food while educating the community about growing food, encouraging people to grow their own food, as well as sharing and celebrating food. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2027 | Murnong Festival Harvest Festival The traditional staple food of Aboriginal people of South East Australia, the Murnong (or Yam-Daisy) is now close to extinction on much of the grassy plains that spread across the northern and western district. The annual Murnong Harvest Festival is a good example of celebrating place, cultural traditions and traditional plants which also acknowledges the strength and significance of ongoing access to, and celebration of, land and country. Murnong and other plants that are important to the Wurundjeri people, are part of a cultural land restoration project on the URBAN FOREST STRATEGY 2017-2027 Merri Creek on Connolly Avenue, Coburg by the Merri and Edgars Creek Confluence Area Restoration Group (MECCARG) in collaboration with the Wurundjeri Council. Every year in November, the community celebrates the Murnong harvest festival and learns about and engages in Wurundjeri culture. Activities typically include: a tanderum ceremony; traditional dance performance and dreamtime stories; boomerang painting and throwing; spear throwing demonstrations; didgeridoo lessons; craft stalls; and of course the Murnong harvest and bake. | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2027 | Murnong Festival Harvest Festival The traditional staple food of Aboriginal people of South East Australia, the Murnong (or Yam-Daisy) is now close to extinction on much of the grassy plains that spread across the northern and western district. The annual Murnong Harvest Festival is a good example of celebrating place, cultural traditions and traditional plants which also acknowledges the strength and significance of ongoing access to, and celebration of, land and country. Murnong and other plants that are important to the Wurundjeri people, are part of a cultural land restoration project on the URBAN FOREST STRATEGY 2017-2027 Merri Creek on Connolly Avenue, Coburg by the Merri and Edgars Creek Confluence Area Restoration Group (MECCARG) in collaboration with the Wurundjeri Council. Every year in November, the community celebrates the Murnong harvest festival and learns about and engages in Wurundjeri culture. Activities typically include: a tanderum ceremony; traditional dance performance and dreamtime stories; boomerang painting and throwing; spear throwing demonstrations; didgeridoo lessons; craft stalls; and of course the Murnong harvest and bake. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2027 | Productive street trees can provide cities and towns with a range of social, economic and environmental benefits such as building equitable food access, increased opportunities for social engagement and connection to nature, and decreasing ‘food miles’. This Strategy recommends a more open approach to productive trees and encourages discussion around the issue through the public consultation stage. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2027 | Review the plant palette to ensure appropriate species are planted given the constraints of urban soils, adjoining assets, services, climate change and the management of pest and disease threats while acknowledging the importance of native vegetation for habitat and local character and opportunities for productive street trees. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2027 | COMMUNITY GARDENS Moreland has a strong food growing heritage and a community that is increasingly interested in growing food together. Many | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2027 | Moreland has several successful community gardens including Brunswick West Community Garden, Merri Corner and Mulberry Garden. Community gardens are increasingly popular across Moreland possibly due to our desire to reconnect with food, nature and community, but also due to declining or disappearing backyards. Community gardens are set up and run by a wide range of people across Moreland, with varying organisational designs and objectives, involve individual or communal plots, engage a wide range of knowledge from beginners to experts, and the levels of involvement differs significantly. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2027 | Murnong Festival Harvest Festival The traditional staple food of Aboriginal people of South East Australia, the Murnong (or Yam-Daisy) is now close to extinction on much of the grassy plains that spread across the northern and western district. The annual Murnong Harvest Festival is a good example of celebrating place, cultural traditions and traditional plants which also acknowledges the strength and significance of ongoing access to, and celebration of, land and country. Murnong and other plants that are important to the Wurundjeri people, are part of a cultural land restoration project on the URBAN FOREST STRATEGY 2017-2027 Merri Creek on Connolly Avenue, Coburg by the Merri and Edgars Creek Confluence Area Restoration Group (MECCARG) in collaboration with the Wurundjeri Council. Every year in November, the community celebrates the Murnong harvest festival and learns about and engages in Wurundjeri culture. Activities typically include: a tanderum ceremony; traditional dance performance and dreamtime stories; boomerang painting and throwing; spear throwing demonstrations; didgeridoo lessons; craft stalls; and of course the Murnong harvest and bake. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2027 | Productive street trees can provide cities and towns with a range of social, economic and environmental benefits such as building equitable food access, increased opportunities for social engagement and connection to nature, and decreasing ‘food miles’. This Strategy recommends a more open approach to productive trees and encourages discussion around the issue through the public consultation stage. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2027 | PRODUCTIVE TREES Productive street trees refer to trees that are planted along streets and in parks and produce fruit or nuts which can be picked eaten and shared by the public. Traditionally, Council have been nervous about encouraging the planting of productive trees in streets and parks because of potential risk arising from fruit litter such as slip hazards and poor pest and pathogen management. A large number of residents have already planted productive trees in front of their homes. While Council would prefer to ensure all street trees are planted in an appropriate and safe manner, there is significant value in retaining existing productive trees and exploring opportunities for new plantings in streets and parks where appropriate. The safe planting of productive trees should focus on wide nature strips or in parks. Productive tree plantings by residents should be authorised by Council and subject to a safety audit. Productive trees can supplement urban fresh food production. Council supports increasing fruit and vegetable intake, normalising the growing of food while educating the community about growing food, encouraging people to grow their own food, as well as sharing and celebrating food. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2027 | Review the plant palette to ensure appropriate species are planted given the constraints of urban soils, adjoining assets, services, climate change and the management of pest and disease threats while acknowledging the importance of native vegetation for habitat and local character and opportunities for productive street trees. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2027 | COMMUNITY GARDENS Moreland has a strong food growing heritage and a community that is increasingly interested in growing food together. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2027 | Productive trees can supplement urban fresh food production. Council supports increasing fruit and vegetable intake, normalising the growing of food while educating the community about growing food, encouraging people to grow their own food, as well as sharing and celebrating food. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2027 | Today, CERES and Harding Street are two remaining market gardens, but Moreland has several successful community gardens including Brunswick West Community Garden, Merri Corner and Mulberry Garden. Community gardens are increasingly popular across Moreland possibly due to our desire to reconnect with food, nature and community, but also due to declining or disappearing backyards. Community gardens are set up and run by a wide range of people across Moreland, with varying organisational designs and objectives, involve individual or communal plots, engage a wide range of knowledge from beginners to experts, and the levels of involvement differs significantly. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2027 | Productive street trees can provide cities and towns with a range of social, economic and environmental benefits such as building equitable food access, increased opportunities for social engagement and connection to nature, and decreasing ‘food miles’. This Strategy recommends a more open approach to productive trees and encourages discussion around the issue through the public consultation stage. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | Victoria | Moreland | Metropolitan |
| URBAN FOREST STRATEGY Making a great city greener 2012-2032 | Develop productive urban landscapes, where possible in public spaces but mainly through encouragement for private gardens. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Melbourne | Metropolitan |
| URBAN FOREST STRATEGY Making a great city greener 2012-2032 | Develop productive urban landscapes, where possible in public spaces but mainly through encouragement for private gardens. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Melbourne | Metropolitan |
| URBAN FOREST STRATEGY Making a great city greener 2012-2032 | Develop productive urban landscapes, where possible in public spaces but mainly through encouragement for private gardens. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Melbourne | Metropolitan |
| URBAN GR O WTH MANA GEMENT STRA TEGY | RESIDENTIAL LAND SUPPLY Council aims to maintain approximately 15 years supply of residential zoned land to meet anticipated housing demand, excluding the planning lead in times that are required prior to the zoning of land to permit residential development. This is a relatively generous target by State and regional standards. It allows Council to prioritise planning investigations with the aim of promoting: > market choice, competition and affordability in the housing market, with allowance for growth cycles | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional |