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 2017/18 | PROMOTING RENEWABLE ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING To empower residents to make their homes more energy and water efficient, Council partnered with the Alternative Technology Association in June for a ‘speed dating’ event focusing on sustainable living and using renewable energy in their homes. This informative and relaxed event gave residents the opportunity to receive personalised advice from experts in sustainable architecture, building, solar and battery systems, permaculture, sustainable water management and energy efficient design and products | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | SUSTAINABLE SEPTEMBER ECO FESTIVAL The Sustainable September Eco Festival included a comprehensive program of hands-on skills workshops, environmental tours, educational activities, familyfriendly events, plant giveaways, and environmental displays. The major events held during the festival were: Blacktown Showground community garden open day. This event included a number of gardening and cooking workshops | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | These included film nights, permaculture workshops, keeping backyard chickens and how to make kombucha, beeswax wraps, kefirs and condiments. We also continued our popular composting and worm farming, UR-3R tours, growing your own food, and organic gardening workshops | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | We ran 17 digital campaigns, such as International Compost Awareness Week | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | PROMOTING RENEWABLE ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING To empower residents to make their homes more energy and water efficient, Council partnered with the Alternative Technology Association in June for a ‘speed dating’ event focusing on sustainable living and using renewable energy in their homes. This informative and relaxed event gave residents the opportunity to receive personalised advice from experts in sustainable architecture, building, solar and battery systems, permaculture, sustainable water management and energy efficient design and products | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | TAFE OUTREACH PROGRAM A partnership between Council and Nirimba and Blue Mountains TAFE colleges, the program has been operating at Grantham Heritage Park since early 2011. Following substantial changes to TAFE the previous year, new accredited units of study continued to be offered to students free of charge. These included water management, landscape design, and plant identification. Introductory courses were also offered in horticulture and eco-living as well as developing a micro-business from your backyard. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | These included film nights, permaculture workshops, keeping backyard chickens and how to make kombucha, beeswax wraps, kefirs and condiments. We also continued our popular composting and worm farming, UR-3R tours, growing your own food, and organic gardening workshops | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | Bidwill garden springs to life We helped Bidwill residents transform an unused block of land into a flourishing community garden. Deputy Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM, officially opened the garden in Lindley Square in February 2018. Lindley Garden is an inclusive place where people from all backgrounds can grow their own fruit and vegies, or simply enjoy the beauty of the space and each other’s company. It was Therese Wilson, a long-term resident of Lindley Square, who initially got Council to convert the Council-owned space into a community garden. The Department of Family and Community Services Social Housing Community Improvement program funded the garden. Blacktown Arts Centre staff used the $38,000 to hire artists David Hawkes and Abbas Makrab to work with Therese Wilson and other residents to develop the designs. Ms Wilson said she was amazed at what she and her neighbours in Lindley Square had achieved. ‘My goal was simply to grow healthy food and all this extra wonderful stuff has come out of it,’ she said. ‘Not only do local families have access to nutritional affordable food, but the garden has really brought the whole neighbourhood together. Before nobody spoke to anybody. Now everyone is talking to everyone’. Council’s Coordinator Cultural Planning and Community Engagement, Monir Rowshan, Bidwill residents Therese Wilson and John Aholahi with Deputy Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | Community gardens and Grantham Sustainability Hub: tending gardens together | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | COMMUNITY GARDENS Volunteers run 10 community gardens in Blacktown City: • Blacktown Showground • Bungarribee • Grantham Sustainability Hub • Bidwill • Lalor Park • Marist Youth Care, Blacktown • Mount Druitt • Riverstone • Quakers Hill Uniting Church • Willmot Public School. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | In partnership with local Bidwill residents and the Department of Family and Community Services, we transformed an unused block of land into a flourishing community garden. Lindley Square in Bidwill brings the number of Blacktown City community gardens to 10 (page 54 | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | Kids in the Garden. Family events at the Grantham Sustainability Hub and Blacktown Showground community garden gave families the opportunity to explore, experience and play with nature and take part in planting and watering the gardens. Children met the chickens and learned about the need for diversity, including good insects and pollinators in the garden | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | SUSTAINABLE SEPTEMBER ECO FESTIVAL The Sustainable September Eco Festival included a comprehensive program of hands-on skills workshops, environmental tours, educational activities, familyfriendly events, plant giveaways, and environmental displays. The major events held during the festival were: Blacktown Showground community garden open day. This event included a number of gardening and cooking workshops | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | We also manage volunteers at Blacktown City community gardens. In 2017/18 the total number of volunteer hours were: • Blacktown Showground – 1,100 hours • Bungarribee – 1,200 hours • Grantham Sustainability Hub – 450 hours. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| annual report 2017/18 | Actively plan for Yarra’s projected growth and development and advocate for an increase in social and affordable housing. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | Bidwill garden springs to life We helped Bidwill residents transform an unused block of land into a flourishing community garden. Deputy Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM, officially opened the garden in Lindley Square in February 2018. Lindley Garden is an inclusive place where people from all backgrounds can grow their own fruit and vegies, or simply enjoy the beauty of the space and each other’s company. It was Therese Wilson, a long-term resident of Lindley Square, who initially got Council to convert the Council-owned space into a community garden. The Department of Family and Community Services Social Housing Community Improvement program funded the garden. Blacktown Arts Centre staff used the $38,000 to hire artists David Hawkes and Abbas Makrab to work with Therese Wilson and other residents to develop the designs. Ms Wilson said she was amazed at what she and her neighbours in Lindley Square had achieved. ‘My goal was simply to grow healthy food and all this extra wonderful stuff has come out of it,’ she said. ‘Not only do local families have access to nutritional affordable food, but the garden has really brought the whole neighbourhood together. Before nobody spoke to anybody. Now everyone is talking to everyone’. Council’s Coordinator Cultural Planning and Community Engagement, Monir Rowshan, Bidwill residents Therese Wilson and John Aholahi with Deputy Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| annual report 2017/18 | Activity Derived from 4.07 Develop Social and Affordable Housing Strategy Council Plan initiative Summary Our new Affordable Housing in Significant Developments policy note asks developers of major residential projects to allocate 5% of the site to affordable housing. Our higher-level Social and Affordable Housing Strategy will be finalised in 2018/19. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | Community gardens and Grantham Sustainability Hub: tending gardens together | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| annual report 2017/18 | Deliver the Social and Affordable Housing Strategy The Policy Guidance Note: Affordable Housing in Significant Developments went to Council in October and was approved for public exhibition. Social Policy and Research facilitated a stakeholder consultation session on two affordable housing topics – i.e. the policy note and positions on Department of Health and Human Services renewal. The note was updated post consultation and was endorsed by Council in October and published on Council’s website. The Social and Affordable Housing Strategy will be presented to Council in 2018/19. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | COMMUNITY GARDENS Volunteers run 10 community gardens in Blacktown City: • Blacktown Showground • Bungarribee • Grantham Sustainability Hub • Bidwill • Lalor Park • Marist Youth Care, Blacktown • Mount Druitt • Riverstone • Quakers Hill Uniting Church • Willmot Public School. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| annual report 2017/18 | Guiding housing growth We developed a draft Housing Strategy in close consultation with the community to help guide the location of residential development in Yarra. When adopted, the new strategy will help us maintain the unique character of Yarra while taking advantage of the economic and employment opportunities that come with growth | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | Council supports and encourages the community gardeners by teaching gardening skills and providing other activities involving the community. In 2017/18 we ran a total of 16 activities with 691 participants. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| annual report 2017/18 | Promote an effective and compassionate approach to rough sleeping and advocate for affordable, appropriate housing. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | ECO ACTIVE SCHOOLS PROGRAM | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| annual report 2017/18 | Strategic indicator Report on delivered advocacy and health and wellbeing activities Comment Affordable Housing • Consultations and promotion of Yarra Council’s Policy Guidance Note: Affordable Housing in Private Developments, involving advocacy to developers, state government policy makers and other councils about the need to formalise how Council views its affordable housing contribution. • Working with Inner Melbourne Action Plan to undertake a rough sleeping count across all Council areas, to collect data to support advocacy for better service response to rough sleepers by the Department of Health and Human Services. • Submission to the Legislative Council’s Inquiry into Public Housing Redevelopment, and follow-up letter to the Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Housing supporting the recommendations from this Inquiry. • Participation as panel member at the University of Melbourne’s Transforming Housing’s event, ‘Maximising the social benefits of public housing renewal’ where Yarra joined tenant advocates and researchers to argue for a better renewal that ensures tenants can return to their same homes and for a higher increase in social returns. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | EnviroMentors, Knowaste and Radical Recyclers visited local preschools, primary and high schools and delivered over 182 sessions about recycling, waste disposal, worm farming, composting and reusing old items | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| annual report 2017/18 | Strategy: 4.2 (cont.) Actively plan for Yarra’s projected growth and development and advocate for an increase in social and affordable housing Strategic indicator Deliver the Social and Affordable Housing Strategy Comment The Policy Guidance Note: Affordable Housing in Significant Developments went to Council in October and was approved for public exhibition. Social Policy and Research facilitated a stakeholder consultation session on two affordable housing topics: the policy note and positions on Department of Health and Human Services renewal. The Note was updated post consultation and was endorsed by Council in October and published on Council’s website. The Social and Affordable Housing Strategy will be presented to Council in 2018/19. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | In partnership with local Bidwill residents and the Department of Family and Community Services, we transformed an unused block of land into a flourishing community garden. Lindley Square in Bidwill brings the number of Blacktown City community gardens to 10 (page 54 | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| annual report 2017/18 | The availability of affordable housing is an essential part of maintaining a community that is socially, economically and culturally diverse. Our new Affordable Housing in Significant Developments policy note asks developers of new residential sites containing 50 or more dwellings to ensure that at least 5% of dwellings are accessible to households on low-to-moderate incomes. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| Annual Report 2017/18 | Kids in the Garden. Family events at the Grantham Sustainability Hub and Blacktown Showground community garden gave families the opportunity to explore, experience and play with nature and take part in planting and watering the gardens. Children met the chickens and learned about the need for diversity, including good insects and pollinators in the garden | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |