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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-2018 Annual Report | Inspection program for food shops • Reporting in accordance with the Food Service Plan • Food safety awareness programs for businesses | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Mosman | Metropolitan |
| 2017-2018 Annual Report | Keeping food premises safe | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Mosman | Metropolitan |
| 2017-2021 Council Plan | health promotion of specific priorities, eg healthier eating and active living | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Ararat | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Council Plan | Advocate for South West Intensive Agri-Precinct and establishment of Agriinnovation hub | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Ararat | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Council Plan | Council makes a further distinction within the property value component of rates based on the purpose for which the property is used, that is, whether the property is used for residential, commercial, industrial, or farm purposes. This distinction is based on the concept that business should pay a fair and equitable contribution to rates, taking into account the benefits those businesses derives from the local community. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Ararat | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Council Plan | Support Agriculture Peer Working Group • Advocate for South West Intensive Agri-Precinct and establishment of Agri-innovation hub • Ararat Regional Business Association | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Ararat | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Council Plan | the farm rate is set at 55% of the general rate (55% in 2017/18). | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Ararat | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Council Plan | Strategies New Strategic Objective Deliver public safety and health programs in accordance with relevant legislation. Key Strategic Documents or Projects • Immunisation Program • Food Premises Inspection Program | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Ararat | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Council Plan | Provide support for the established major industries in Latrobe by: - Developing Council's position on power stations and coal use - Explore economic opportunities in waste and recycling - Advocating for the innovative uses of our local natural resources (timber, paper, brown coal, chemicals, agriculture etc) | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Latrobe | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Council Plan | . Provide community infrastructure that supports recreation and connectedness including sporting facilities, pathways and community gardens. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Latrobe | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Council Plan | . Provide community infrastructure that supports recreation and connectedness including sporting facilities, pathways and community gardens. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Latrobe | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Council Plan | Promote the municipality’s wine and food opportunities • Farmers Markets • Grampians Wine Co-op • Grampians Produce • Domain 3 - Victorians have the capabilities to participate (ref pg 12) | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | Victoria | Ararat | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Council Plan | Collaborate with other agencies in pursuing agricultural industry initiatives and innovation. • Strategic Economic Pathway • Support Agriculture Peer Working Group • Advocate for South West Intensive Agri-Precinct and establishment of Agriinnovation hub • Central Highlands Agribusiness Forum – Cultivate Agribusiness • Liaison with Southern Farming Systems, Perennial Pasture Systems, Victorian Farmers Federation • Domain 3 - Victorians have the capabilities to participate (ref pg 12) | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Ararat | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Council Plan | Support Agriculture Peer Working Group • Advocate for South West Intensive Agri-Precinct and establishment of Agri-innovation hub • Ararat Regional Business Association | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Ararat | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Delivery Program | Theme 2 Key Strategy Caring for our Environment Our Community values our natural environment and seeks a safe, livable, sustainable built environment that is adaptive to change. 2.1 Well Planned Communities Program 2.1.2 Housing - housing across the Nambucca Shire provides choice and is affordable. Actions Lead Responsibility 2.1.2.1 Provide diverse, sustainable, adaptable and affordable housing options through effective land use planning | Social Policy | Affordable housing | NSW | Nambucca | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Delivery Program | Theme 4 Key Strategy Promoting Prosperity Promote, support and plan opportunities for new and existing businesses to sustain a vibrant local economy. 4.3 Sustainable Water Cycle Program 4.3.1 Water Management - Council will work with the Community to ensure the water resources of the Nambucca Valley are used in a sustainable way. Actions 4.3.1.1 Council will document the Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy and supply potable water that meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 4.3.1.2 Operate the Bowra Dam to ensure water security for the Nambucca Shire Lead Responsibility Manager Water and Sewerage Success Measure IWCM reviewed and implemented. Reliable potable supply that meets public health standards is provided. Regular water testing is conducted. Any breach of required standards is reported. Manager Water and Sewerage Dam is maintained and operated according to the Dam Operation Manual. Operate and maintain the rising main network from the Bowra bore fields. Maintain water levels in the Dam that will protect water security for the Shire. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Nambucca | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Delivery Program | Theme 1 Key Strategy Caring for our Community Our Community will be a safe, healthy place to live where everyone is valued. 1.3 Public Health Program 1.3.1 Public Health [Safe Food] - The Nambucca Shire Council will guard against illness caused by unhealthy food by promoting and enforcing food hygiene standards. Actions 1.3.1.1 Effectively license and regulated premises that handle food for public consumption Lead Responsibility Manager Development and Environment Success Measure All required premises licenced. All routine Inspections completed. Effective response to complaints. Reduction in warnings, infringements and reported cases of illness caused by unsafe food. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Nambucca | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Delivery Program Incorporating 2019/2020 Operation Plan | C4 Community Strategy C4.1 Our community is innovative and adaptive Identify opportunities to grow the agriculture sector 2017-2021 Delivery Program Principal Activities C4.1.1 Ongoing consultation with agencies and industry groups Council Target T4 Priority 2019/2020 Operational Plan Completion Identify supply chain gaps and potential new products. Liaise with the agricultural sector, and government departments. CO Output New investments in agriculture reported. | Economic Development | Local food producers | NSW | Hay | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Delivery Program Incorporating 2019/2020 Operation Plan | C4 Community Strategy C4.1 Our community is innovative and adaptive Identify opportunities to grow the agriculture sector 2017-2021 Delivery Program Principal Activities C4.1.1 Ongoing consultation with agencies and industry groups Council Target T4 Priority 2019/2020 Operational Plan Completion Identify supply chain gaps and potential new products. Liaise with the agricultural sector, and government departments. CO Output New investments in agriculture reported. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Hay | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Delivery Program, 2019/2020 Operational Plan | P.63 – Review, update and adhere to Council’s Drinking Water Management System | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Lithgow | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Delivery Program, 2019/2020 Operational Plan | P.94 - Routine Samples of the Reticulated Drinking Water Supply. The drinking water monitoring program enables regional rural water utilities to monitor their water in line with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004. Representative samples are taken by local water utilities and provided to NSW Health for analysis and recording to ensure water provided to consumers complies with the guidelines. Water purchased from Fish River Water supply. The areas of Wallerawang, Portland, Cullen Bullen, Blackmans Flat, Pipers Flat, Lidsdale, Rydal and Glen Davis are supplied with water purchased from the Fish River Water Supply. In recent years, the amount of water purchased has decreased as Council is able to supplement the supply to the villages when needed thus reducing demand on the Fish River system. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Lithgow | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Delivery Program, 2019/2020 Operational Plan | P.95 – Enhancing our Natural Environment; NE1.2.4 Conduct routine monitoring of Council’s reticulated drinking water supplies. Performance measure: Percentage of water samples undertaken as part of the NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program. NE1.2.6 Purchase water from State Water to supply Cullen Bullen, Glen Davis, Lidsdale, Portland, Wallerawang and Marrangaroo. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Lithgow | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Delivery Program, 2019/2020 Operational Plan | P.124 Ordinary rates. Farmland: Intense use; Farmland. Base Amount ($); Ad Valorem Amount. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | NSW | Lithgow | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Delivery Program, 2019/2020 Operational Plan | P.81 – Environmental Health. Food Premises Inspections. Food inspections are conducted on food premises within the Lithgow LGA in accordance with the Food Regulation Partnership and the NSW Food Authority to ensure public safety and compliance with the Food Act 2003. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Lithgow | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Delivery Program, 2019/2020 Operational Plan | P.82 – Developing our Built Environment; BE1.3.2 Conduct public health and food inspections. Performance measures: Number of required food safety assessments undertaken; Number of food safety complaints received per annum; Number of working days taken to action food safety complaints; Number of critical and major non-compliance food safety outcomes notifications followed up by Council. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Lithgow | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Greater Bendigo Community Plan | Farming Advisory Committee | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Greater Bendigo Community Plan | supporting the newly established Rural Communities Committee and Farming Advisory Committee | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Greater Bendigo Community Plan | Work closely with all sectors, including manufacturing, tourism, retail, education, health, creative industries and agriculture to enhance their success | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Greater Bendigo Community Plan | • Advocate for increased access to social and affordable housing | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| 2017-2021 Greater Bendigo Community Plan | 5. Local and sustainable food – Supporting sustainable and humane farming, promoting access to healthy, low impact, local, seasonal and organic diets and reducing food waste | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |