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).
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Hold Ctrl to select multiple terms. Using ‘any words’ functions as an “OR” search. Using ‘all words’ functions as and “AND” search.
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| Document title | Relevant text in the policy | Domain | Topic | State | Local Government name | Council type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | • providing opportunities for new outlets for producers to sell their fresh produce and value added goods by bringing local consumers and growers together | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Opportunities for new alliances, supply chains and distribution networks need to be explored to provide growers with an adequate return for produce. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Priorities to foster agribusiness Priority Area 7.1 Encourage innovation and adoption of technology. Priority Area 7.2 Preserve rural land for agricultural purposes. Priority Area 7.3 Support local food supply chains and distribution networks. Priority Area 7.4 Improve water security. Priority Area 7.5 Support initiatives to ensure a sustainable supply of skilled and seasonal labour. Priority Area 7.6 Pursue modifications to the Victoria Planning Provisions aligned to Council’s Green Wedge Plan that enhance agriculture practice and sustainability. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | • determining the best sites for development of caravan parks, group accommodation or portable temporary accommodation, particularly for the seasonal workforce, and alerting potential investors of the opportunities that arise. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Priorities to foster agribusiness Priority Area 7.1 Encourage innovation and adoption of technology. Priority Area 7.2 Preserve rural land for agricultural purposes. Priority Area 7.3 Support local food supply chains and distribution networks. Priority Area 7.4 Improve water security. Priority Area 7.5 Support initiatives to ensure a sustainable supply of skilled and seasonal labour. Priority Area 7.6 Pursue modifications to the Victoria Planning Provisions aligned to Council’s Green Wedge Plan that enhance agriculture practice and sustainability. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Strategic Sectors – Agribusiness Council will support commercial agriculture as a critically important element of the Yarra Ranges landscape and provider of local employment. A viable agribusiness sector will be linked to initiatives relating to improving labour shortages, budget accommodation, water security, adoption of new technology, advocacy to all levels of government and facilitating industry partnerships. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | • providing opportunities for new outlets for producers to sell their fresh produce and value added goods by bringing local consumers and growers together | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Lilydale Farmers Market | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Focus areas to support agribusiness innovation and growth Yarra Ranges Council can add value to this sector by: • ensuring that research and development provides local solutions to local problems, particularly relating to cultural and soil practices, and new crop varieties • ensuring that planning policies and controls keep pace with new technologies • providing opportunities for new outlets for producers to sell their fresh produce and value added goods by bringing local consumers and growers together • identifying opportunities for viable recycled water schemes • Identify ways within the planning scheme that support farmers ability to grow their business within the Green Wedge so land can be preserved for agriculture, while catering for those that want to sell. • determining the best sites for development of caravan parks, group accommodation or portable temporary accommodation, particularly for the seasonal workforce, and alerting potential investors of the opportunities that arise. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2012-2022 Economic Development Strategy | Priorities to foster agribusiness Priority Area 7.1 Encourage innovation and adoption of technology. Priority Area 7.2 Preserve rural land for agricultural purposes. Priority Area 7.3 Support local food supply chains and distribution networks. Priority Area 7.4 Improve water security. Priority Area 7.5 Support initiatives to ensure a sustainable supply of skilled and seasonal labour. Priority Area 7.6 Pursue modifications to the Victoria Planning Provisions aligned to Council’s Green Wedge Plan that enhance agriculture practice and sustainability. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Yarra Ranges | Metropolitan |
| 2016 – 2026 Open Space Plan | Actively consider the needs of people with mobility problems and nursing mothers when purchasing seating, particularly benches and picnic tables. | Health and Wellbeing | Breastfeeding | NSW | Lane Cove | Metropolitan |
| 2016 – 2026 Open Space Plan | Audit existing buildings, toilets, change rooms, bins, benches, bubblers, picnic tables | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Lane Cove | Metropolitan |
| 2016 – 2026 Open Space Plan | Audit provisions of toilets, change rooms, bins, benches, bubblers, picnic tables and BBQs in Lane Cove. Include an audit terms of accessibility requirements and location versus required location. Record all amenities in asset databases including their location, accessibility score, state of repair and expected lifespan. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Lane Cove | Metropolitan |
| 2016 – 2026 Open Space Plan | Medium sized neighbourhood parks between 0.5 and 2 ha (17 parks and reserves) – longer stay by locals and visitors for a variety of activities, various amenities including seats, play equipment, bubblers, picnic areas, barbeques, space for informal play, some are part of sportsfield surrounds. (e.g. Longueville Park, Helen Street Reserve, Newlands Park, Tambourine Park, Cunninghams Reach, Kingsford Smith Oval) | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Lane Cove | Metropolitan |
| 2016 – 2026 Open Space Plan | Upgrade amenities such as benches, picnic tables, bubblers | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Lane Cove | Metropolitan |
| 2016 – 2026 Open Space Plan | Monitor interest in and support for community gardens, developing a community gardening policy accordingly. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Lane Cove | Metropolitan |
| 2016 – 2026 Open Space Plan | Monitor interest in and support for community gardens, developing a community gardening policy accordingly. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Lane Cove | Metropolitan |
| 2016 Mitchell Food Policy | Within policy scope: Phase 1 – Review and identify actions to internal catering and food provision Provision of food and drinks to Mitchell Shire Council’s staff, visitors and volunteers including: – Work related meetings for staff and visitors – Workshops and training events – Conferences and visiting speaker events – Council meetings for elected members and staff Phase 2 – Review and identify actions for External catering and food provision Provision of food and drinks at Mitchell Shire Council’s operated facilities and council sponsored events including: – Community events provided by Mitchell Shire Council and/or sponsored in partnership with other organisations – Food and drinks provided at Mitchell Shire Council’s operated facilities such a | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| 2016 Mitchell Food Policy | 3. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to ensure that members of the Mitchell community, staff, volunteers and visitors have the opportunity to access healthy food and drink choices when attending council operated facilities and workplaces and at council sponsored events. 4. Aim The aim of this policy is to increase the availability of healthy food and drink choices and to encourage and support the community to make food and drink choices that will impact positively on health. 5. Principles When applying this policy, Mitchell Shire Council staff should be guided by the following principles: that food choice is important for all members of the community that all members of the community have the right to access healthy food and drink that food and drink has social and cultural meaning and that eating is enjoyable Mitchell Shire Council is a role model for the community and supports initiatives that have the potential to impact positively on the health and wellbeing of the community that it is important to create an environment which makes healthy food and drink choices the easier choice for staff, volunteers, the community and visitors healthy food and drink choices should be promoted using consistent, positive messages that the provision of food is safe and food handling and food hygiene practices are followed where feasible, the provision of food and drink should be provided in an environmentally sustainable way (e.g. developing a plan to minimise the amount of waste produced, how it is disposed of, taking advantage of recycling options and using environmentally friendly containers) that food and drink provided will reflect the Dietary Guidelines for Australians3, The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating4 and other government recommendations for people living in Australia to achieve and maintain good health | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| 2016 Mitchell Food Policy | This policy applies to all food and drink provided and/or sold at Mitchell Shire Council operated facilities and workplaces and council sponsored events. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| 2016 Mitchell Food Policy | eisure centres and youth drop in centres. Phase 3 – Review and identify actions for other food provision and supportive environments Vending machines Fund raising Priz | Health and Wellbeing | Restrict unhealthy food in vending machines under LG control | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| 2016 Mitchell Food Policy | healthy food and drink choices should be promoted using consistent, positive messages | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| 2016 Mitchell Food Policy | eisure centres and youth drop in centres. Phase 3 – Review and identify actions for other food provision and supportive environments Vending machines Fund raising Priz | Health and Wellbeing | Encourage existing retailers/caterers to sell healthy, sustainable and affordable food | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| 2016 Mitchell Food Policy | where feasible, the provision of food and drink should be provided in an environmentally sustainable way (e.g. developing a plan to minimise the amount of waste produced, how it is disposed of, taking advantage of recycling options and using environmentally friendly containers) | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| 2016 Mitchell Food Policy | that the provision of food is safe and food handling and food hygiene practices are followed | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Mitchell | Regional |
| 2017 - 2021 | 9.4. PUBLIC SECTOR INDUSTRY: STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS STRATEGY 11 Develop Horsham into the leading education provider for Agribusiness and related industries Actions ACTION 11.1 Facilitate and encourage Longerenong College to attract international students. Lead and Partners Timeframe Planning & Economic Development / Longerenong College / Skill Invest ACTION 11.2 Advocate for the redevelopment of Longerenong College’s on-site infrastructure and facilities. (e.g. chemical training facility, internal campus roads, lecture/theatre rooms). Ongoing discussions with Longerenong College should be undertaken to prioritise infrastructure and service upgrade requirements. Planning & Economic Development / Longerenong College / Skill Invest Short term Ongoing | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Horsham | Regional |
| 2017 - 2021 | Develop a prospectus for Horsham Rural City, which promotes the area as a destination to live, work, invest and visit. The Prospectus could include the following elements: - Lifestyle advantages (e.g. proximity to nature based assets, strong community, favourable climate, strong health and education services); - Investment opportunities (e.g. Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline, WIFT, land availability and affordability); - Tourism product and attractions (e.g. Mount Arapiles Lakes and Waterways, Town Hall, food and beverage, festivals and events). | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Horsham | Regional |
| 2017 - 2021 | Diversify the Agriculture industry through value-adding, new commodities, specialist services, research and education, innovation and mechanisations, and transport network efficiencies. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Horsham | Regional |
| 2017 - 2021 | Engage and support the agricultural business community, and ensure the region remains the leader in grain production, research, education and innovation | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Horsham | Regional |
| 2017 - 2021 | Horsham has a competitive advantage with its Agricultural College in Longerenong. Longerenong College is the only Agricultural education institution that offers an advanced diploma in Agribusiness Management. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Horsham | Regional |