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 | Yarriambiack Shire Council is currently seeking funding for upgrades to the Warracknabeal Regional Livestock Exchange. A Project Plan has been developed to improve the general amenity of the saleyards site to offer greater flexibility of use, extend the operational hours, increase revenue and provide a safe environment for users and livestock. The project aligns with Yarriambiack Shire’s Council Plan in regard to meeting future needs by supporting sustainable economic, social and environmental objectives. The livestock exchange is an important meeting space which fosters social inclusion and promotes knowledge sharing which is essential for ongoing improvement in the competitive agricultural environment. | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Yarriambiack | Regional |
| Annual Report | Grants currently available include the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Support, | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Yarriambiack | Regional |
| Annual Report | Yarriambiack Shire Councillors were pleased to receive funding of 1 million as part of the Drought Communities Program (DCP) and heard of the plans at the monthly Council meeting on Wednesday. Council made applications for 13 projects across the Shire totalling a cost for the full 1 million. In April the Federal Government, whilst in caretaker mode, made the declaration that the Shire is eligible to apply for funding under the Drought Communities Program. The fund is designed to support local infrastructure and other projects for communities and businesses that have been impacted by drought. The DCP funding guidelines state that funding will be targeted at infrastructure projects that provide employment for people whose work opportunities have been impacted by drought; stimulate local community spending; use local resources, businesses and suppliers and or provide a long-lasting benefit to communities and the agricultural industries on which they depend. It is expected that all projects will increase employment, economic activity, productivity, as well as the retention of business, services and facilities. Yarriambiack Shire Mayor, Graeme Massey, said “This is ‘bonus money’ for us, which is excellent”. Councillor Tom Hamilton said, “This is a great outcome by Council to receive this funding”. “I am happy for the money to go back into region. It’s not just funding for the farmers, it is a great outcome for everyone,” | Sustainability and Environment | Food supply and food system resilience | Victoria | Yarriambiack | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | The Wodonga Housing Strategy represents an integrated approach to housing and affordable housing to address the needs of the whole community | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Wodonga | Regional |
| Annual Report | Food premises inspections continued across the Shire, primarily undertaken at community groups and sporting clubs with a good level of cooperation from all observed | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Yarriambiack | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | 4.2 Support key settings and stakeholders to increase access to healthy food options by creating a supportive built and social environment. COMMENT Council representative works with the Local Food Network to support healthy eating initiatives. Other activities include – • Council early years preschools have achieved Healthy Eating benchmark for the Achievement program • Advocacy for FoodShare • Support the Farmers markets • Supporting efforts for a market hall | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Wodonga | Regional |
| Annual Report | FOOD SAFETY Health and safety | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Yarriambiack | Regional |
| Annual Report | Develop and commence implementation of a community education program to support the introduction of a Food Organics Waste Service | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Campaspe | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | • Council early years preschools have achieved Healthy Eating benchmark for the Achievement program | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Wodonga | Regional |
| Annual Report | prescribed service performance indicators and measures including explanation of material variations: FOOD SAFETY Service/Indicator/Measure Service standard Food safety assessments 90% Service cost Cost of food safety service Health and safety Critical and major non-compliance notifications 33 Yarriambiack Shire Council Annual Report 2018-2019 868 100% 70% 780 100% 109% 821 100% 51% $802 100% Council engages proactively with businesses to achieve compliance through education. Result 2015/16 Result 2016/17 Result 2017/18 Timeliness Time taken to action food complaints 11 2 Result 2018/19 3 Material Variations Council engages proactively with complainants to address complaints received in a timely manner. Changes to the assessment schedule from financial to calendar year to align with Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). During the 2018/19 financial year, there were extended periods of absence. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Yarriambiack | Regional |
| Annual Report | Council’s Health and Wellbeing Program actively contributes to a healthy, positive workplace culture, while supporting staff engagement and retention. Programs conducted throughout the year included: • flu vaccinations • skin checks • health programs – yoga and body balance • love your lunchbox – healthy eating education | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy eating by LG staff | Victoria | Campaspe | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Council representative works with the Local Food Network to support healthy eating initiatives. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Wodonga | Regional |
| Annual Report | The valuation base used to calculate general rates for 2018/19 was $7,362 million (2017/18 was $6,728 million). Residential Commercial Industrial Farm | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Campaspe | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Council continues to partner with community groups such as Landcare for regional based projects Ongoing On target Collaborative projects undertaken include activities with Landcare, government agencies, CFA volunteers and local schools including field days, Gardens for Wildlife Program, facilitating school excursions, planned burns, support for Landcare grants, gorse taskforce meeting, blackberry control Sunday Creek and Seymour Alternative Farming Expo. Und | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Support initiatives that aim to increase access to affordable and healthy food for all people in | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Wodonga | Regional |
| Annual Report | Council owns and delivers commercial services including caravan parks, the Echuca Livestock Exchange | Sustainability and Environment | Animal husbandry | Victoria | Campaspe | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Regular community engagement on environmental issues occurs Ongoing On target Events include Large Animal Management field day, Seymour Alternative Farming Expo, Kilmore Show and Seymour Show. Regular Facebook posts, attendance at Bushland Park and South West Goulburn Landcare Group meetings. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Percentage of infant community who do not meet dietary guidelines for breastfeeding | Health and Wellbeing | Breastfeeding | Victoria | Wodonga | Regional |
| Annual Report | $200,000 to support the expansion of the green bin service to collect food scraps. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Campaspe | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Thousands visit Seymour Alternative Farming Expo | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Food Safety Projects – Additional resources to fund a number of initiatives to better protect community health. This would include healthy food options which is an action under the Health and Wellbeing Plan; a water sampling program of all registered premises on non-reticulated water; and increased food proprietor surveillance to ensure compliance with legislation. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | Victoria | Moorabool | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Work in partnership with key agencies and the wider community to increase breastfeeding rates in Wodonga | Health and Wellbeing | Breastfeeding | Victoria | Wodonga | Regional |
| Annual Report | 40.57% 41.12% 40.35% 39.03% Council has a strong focus on reducing waste to landfill, through a waste education and behaviour change program. The decrease in the indicator result for kerbside waste diverted from landfill is attributable to a fall in the total volume of recycling as a result of the introduction of a container deposit scheme in NSW which Campaspe residents are accessing. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Campaspe | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Work with partner organisations including Goulburn River Valley Tourism to support and promote events in the Shire and to attract third party funding Duration Ongoing Target % On target % complete Progress comment Collaborated with Goulburn River Valley Tourism (GRVT) on various marketing committee actions; promotional campaigns and attending tourism showcase events such Melbourne Good and Wine Show, as well as collaborating to showcase Mitchell Shire and the Heart of Victoria region at Seymour Alternative Farming Expo. We ha | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | and major non-compliance notifications about a food | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Moorabool | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Critical and major non-compliance outcome notifications | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Wodonga | Regional |
| Annual Report | 3.4.3.1 Review LEP and DCP requirements impacting on supply of affordable housing and amend to encourage developers into downsized housing options. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Narrabri | Regional |
| Annual Report | 40.57% 41.12% 40.35% 39.03% Council has a strong focus on reducing waste to landfill, through a waste education and behaviour change program. The decrease in the indicator result for kerbside waste diverted from landfill is attributable to a fall in the total volume of recycling as a result of the introduction of a container deposit scheme in NSW which Campaspe residents are accessing. Combined with dry weather conditions that has reduced the amount of green organics waste collected. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Campaspe | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | 2018/19 Actions Duration Council supports and facilitates a broad range of diverse community events Ongoing Target % % complete On target Progress comment Council has facilitated a broad range of community events including Community BBQs, Multicultural Food Truck Festival, International Women's Day, International Day of People with a Disability, Youth Festival, Volunteers Week and Seniors Week. | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| ANNUAL REPORT | Environmental Health Legislative Responsibilities (Food Act 1984 (Food Safety), Health Act 1958, Tobacco Act 1987, Residential Tenancies Act 1997 and Local Government Act 1989). | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Moorabool | Regional |