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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Report | Service/Indicator/Measure Service standard Food safety assessments [Number of registered class 1 food premises and class 2 food premises that receive an annual food safety assessment in accordance with the Food Act 1984 / Number of registered class 1 food premises and class 2 food premises that require an annual food safety assessment in accordance with the Food Act 1984] x 100 Service cost Cost of food safety service [Direct cost of the food safety service / Number of food premises registered or notified in accordance with the Food Act 1984] Health and safety Critical and major non-compliance outcome notifications [Number of critical non-compliance notifications and major noncompliance notifications about a food premises followed up / Number of critical non-compliance notifications and major non-compliance notifications about food premises] $872.83 $850.09 $498.68 $455.11 Results 2016 Results 2017 Result 2018 Result 2019 95.18% 94.44% 87.15% 93.17% Material Variation 84.44% 100.00% 94.74% 81.25% Follow up inspections in three incidences did not occur. One premise ceased trading after the initial inspection meaning a follow up could not be conducted. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Swan Hill | Regional |
| Annual Report | Identified broadening of diversity in agricultural enterprise | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Our Vision Greater Shepparton, Greater Future. A thriving economy in the foodbowl of Victoria with excellent lifestyles, innovative agriculture, a diverse community and abundant opportunities. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Shepparton | Regional |
| Annual Report | The Mayor and the Agricultural Portfolio Councillors have been preparing for a Future of Farming Forum with key stakeholders across the Shire to identify barriers and opportunities in agricultural enterprises. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Dungog | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Sustainability Grants Council awarded $7800 in Community Sustainability Grants. These grants were awarded to groups for a film festival, community workshops to assist in reducing their impact on the changing environment and saving money, installation of water tanks for a community garden, and a healthy lifestyle garden. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Greater Shepparton | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Sustainability Grants Council awarded $7800 in Community Sustainability Grants. These grants were awarded to groups for a film festival, community workshops to assist in reducing their impact on the changing environment and saving money, installation of water tanks for a community garden, and a healthy lifestyle garden. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Greater Shepparton | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Sustainability Grants Council awarded $7800 in Community Sustainability Grants. These grants were awarded to groups for a film festival, community workshops to assist in reducing their impact on the changing environment and saving money, installation of water tanks for a community garden, and a healthy lifestyle garden. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Greater Shepparton | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | › Saleyards | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Greater Shepparton | Regional |
| Annual Report | Mobile Food Vending Vehicles – Local Approvals Policy | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Newcastle | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Saleyards | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Greater Shepparton | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Shepparton Regional Saleyards Advisory Committee | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Greater Shepparton | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Sustainability Working Group Council’s internal Sustainability Working Group meets regularly to discuss and implement opportunities for Council to be more sustainable. This group has coordinated the purchase and distribution of branded reusable bags, held community information sessions on backyard chooks and water-wise gardening using cactus, developed a single-use plastic policy, celebrated nude food day with information on beeswax wraps and cutting down on single-use plastics | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Greater Shepparton | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Sustainability Working Group Council’s internal Sustainability Working Group meets regularly to discuss and implement opportunities for Council to be more sustainable. This group has coordinated the purchase and distribution of branded reusable bags, held community information sessions on backyard chooks and water-wise gardening using cactus, developed a single-use plastic policy, celebrated nude food day with information on beeswax wraps and cutting down on single-use plastics | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Shepparton | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | • Food safety regulation programs | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Greater Shepparton | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Food Safety Timeliness Time taken to action food complaints [Number of days between receipt and first response action for all food complaints / Number of food complaints] Service standard Food safety assessments [Number of registered class 1 food premises and class 2 food premises that receive an annual food safety assessment in accordance with the Food Act 1984 / Number of registered class 1 food premises and class 2 food premises that require an annual food safety assessment in accordance with the Food Act 1984] x100 Service cost Cost of food safety service [Direct cost of the food safety service / Number of food premises registered or notified in accordance with the Food Act 1984] | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Greater Shepparton | Regional |
| Annual Report | We have a Work Health Program (which includes a proactive injury prevention program and an early intervention approach to injuries and illnesses) that focuses on sustainable return-to-work programs. Council’s Work Health Program has been the guiding force behind improvements in injury management, while creating significant positive opportunities for Council, including improved productivity, engagement, retention and the ability to attract the best employees. The program offers a range of initiatives to support and improve employee wellbeing. The initiatives covered include ergonomics and manual handling, injury prevention, healthy living, nutrition | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy eating by LG staff | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Annual Report | Costs for the Numurkah Tyre Stockpile removal and the Regional Fruit Fly Action Plan 2 were not included in the adopted budget, these were fully funded by operating grants. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Annual Report | Variance due to early receipt of 50% of 2019/20 Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grant, receipt of unbudgeted grants to fund the Numurkah Tyre stockpile removal and the second Action Plan for the Regional Fruit Fly program. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Annual Report | This service conducts ongoing maintenance of Council’s road and bridge network which includes 80 bridges and major culverts, 1,070 km of sealed roads, 1,600 km of gravel roads varying from link roads to access tracks, 900 km of farm access tracks, 286 km of kerb and channel and 160 km of footpaths. A | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Annual Report | FOOD SAFETY Health and safety Critical and major non-compliance notifications [Number of critical non-compliance notifications and major non-compliance notifications about a food premises followed up / Number of critical non-compliance notifications and major non-compliance notifications about food premises] x100 | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Annual Report | Deliver ‘Southern Gippsland Food Futures Program’ that supports existing and potential food networks through marketing, business support and the Southern Gippsland Food Map. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| Annual Report | Food Safety Timeliness Time taken to action food complaints [Number of days between receipt and first response action for all food complaints / Number of food complaints] Service standard Food safety assessments [Number of registered class 1 food premises and class 2 food premises that receive an annual food safety assessment in accordance with the Food Act 1984 / Number of registered class 1 food premises and class 2 food premises that require an annual food safety assessment in accordance with the Food Act 1984] x100 Service cost Cost of food safety service [Direct cost of the food safety service / Number of food premises registered or notified in accordance with the Food Act 1984] | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Annual Report | The Southern Gippsland Food Map Project was also completed. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| Annual Report | Health and Safety [Number of critical non-compliance notifications and major non-compliance notifications about a food premises followed up / Number of critical noncompliance notifications and major noncompliance notifications about food premises] x100 | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Annual Report | A sustainable agricultural industry, including direct and indirect support for businesses. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| Annual Report | Our food safety service costs have almost halved with the more recent reduction achieved through transferring the functions to an external contractor | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Moira | Regional |
| Annual Report | Myrtleford & District Agricultural & Pastoral Show | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Alpine | Regional |
| Annual Report | Council supported the dairy industry by participating in the Gippsland Dairy Industry Leadership Group and the South Gippsland Dairy Extension Committee. Council sponsored the South Gippsland Dairy Expo and the Cows Create Careers Project. The Southern Gippsland Food Map Project was also completed. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | South Gippsland | Regional |
| Annual Report | We were also successful in obtaining $250,000 from the State Government to spend on communitybased events and upgrades to water infrastructure. This allowed Council to fund around 20 community events, provide free entry for farming families to the Sale, Yarram and Maffra agricultural shows, and upgrade water standpipes in rural communities. F | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Wellington | Regional |
| Annual Report | The service undertakes inspections and registers premises in accordance with health and food legislation and approves permits for the installation of septic tanks. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Moira | Regional |