2018 urban food production strategy

URBAN FOOD PRODUCTION STRATEGY 2014 – 2018

ContentsEXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1

WHY IS URBAN FOOD PRODUCTION IN DAREBIN IMPORTANT? 4

Purpose of the Strategy 4

Challenges and Opportunities 6

BACKGROUND 8

Local context 8

Broader Context 9

Howdoesurbanfoodproductionfitintolocalfoodsystemsthinking? 11

VISION 13

ASSUMPTIONS AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES 14

THE ROLE OF COUNCIL 15

KEY ACTION AREAS 17

1. HOME FOOD GROWING 18

1.1 BackgroundandContext 18

1.2 BackyardBeeandChicken/LivestockKeeping 20

1.3 Council’sRole 22

2. COMMUNITY GARDENS 24

2.1 BackgroundandContext 24

2.2ManagingCommunityGardens 26

2.3Council’sRole 28

3. OTHER URBAN FOOD PRODUCTION MODELS 30

3.1BackgroundandContext 30


4. INTEGRATED APPROACH TO PLANNING FOR URBAN FOOD PRODUCTION 34

4.1BackgroundandContext 34


IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION 36

GLOSSARY 36

Appendix1:SupportingPlansandPolicies 38

Appendix2:ConsultationProcess 39

Appendix3:DarebinFoodGardensMap 40

Footnotes 40

CITY OF DAREBIN

THEDAREBINCOUNCILPLANRECOGNISESTHEPOTENTIALFORLOCALFOODPRODUCTIONTOBRINGPOSITIVEBENEFITSTOTHESOCIAL,BUILT,NATURALANDECONOMICENVIRONMENT.

Executive Summary

CouncilcommittedtodevelopinganUrbanFoodProductionStrategy(theStrategy)inboththe2013–2017HealthandWellbeingPlanand2012–2020GreenStreetsStreetscapeStrategy.TheStrategylinkswithandcomplementsthe2010–2014FoodSecurityPolicy.

The purpose of the Strategy is to outline how Council can guide and support the food growing and preparation culture whichalreadyexistsinDarebintoresultinagreatercapacityacrossthecommunitytomakehealthyandsustainablefoodchoices.Darebinfacessignificantnutritionrelatedhealthchallengeswithsomesegmentsofthecommunityhavingdifficultyaccessingfreshfood.KeyassetssupportingthestrategyincludeDarebin’srichculturaldiversity,asignificantnumberofcommunalfoodgrowingsitesandagrowingnumberoffoodoutletsinterestedinsourcinglocal,seasonalfood.The Strategy describes how Council and the communitywillworktogetheronlocalfoodinitiativeswhichenhancehealth,wellbeingandcommunityconnectedness,improvetheenvironmentandregeneratenaturalresources.

1URBAN FOOD PRODUCTION 2014 – 2018

PHOTO BY MARA RIPANI

2 CITY OF DAREBIN

STRATEGY VISION:LOCALFOODSYSTEMSWHICHARESECURE,HEALTHY,SUSTAINABLEANDFAIR.Localgovernmentiswellplacedtopromote,facilitateandadvocateforurbanfood production and can direct action to improvingaccessfordisadvantagedgroups.Council recognises it is not able to directly addressthesystemicissuesunderlyingthecontributionofconventionalfoodsystemstothe poor nutrition related health indicators andnegativeenvironmentalimpactofurbanareas.Anintegratedresponseiscalledfortodeliverbetterandmoreresilientfoodproductionmodels.ThisrequiresCounciltoforminnovativepartnershipswiththecommunity,localbusiness,professionalstakeholdersandalllevelsofgovernment.

TheStrategyhasidentifiedfourkeyactionsareasfromtheconsultationundertakenaswellasfromresearchintourbanfoodproduction approaches and opportunities inalocalgovernmentcontext.Theseare:

1. HOME FOOD GROWING

Identifiedasapriorityactionarea,Councilwillcontinuethesuccessfulpromotionofhomefoodgrowingthrougheducationprograms.Thisincludeswhole-of-communitycapacitybuildingaswellastargetingdisadvantagedcommunitieswhoseneedforthesocialandhealthbenefitsprovidedbyhomegrownfoodisgreatest.Homefoodgrowingwillbeintegratedwithothercommunitydevelopmentandplanninginitiativestocreatemoreliveable,interconnectedandsaferneighbourhoods.

2. COMMUNITY GARDENS

Councilwillsupportproductivecommunitygardenswhichmaximisethesocialandenvironmentalbenefitstothecommunity.Councilalsocommitstolookingforopportunities to partner with schools and theAboriginalcommunitytostrengthenthecommunalgardeningnetwork.AguidelinehasbeendevelopedinparallelwiththisStrategytoenablepotentialcommunalfoodgrowingsitestobeassessedcomprehensivelyandequitably.

3. OTHER URBAN FOOD PRODUCTION MODELS

Councilcommitstosupportingawiderangeoflocalfoodsysteminitiativeswhichengageadiversedemographic,haveastrongeducationalcomponentanddeliverbenefitstocommunitieswiththegreatestneed.Councilwilldemonstrateleadershipbydevelopinganinternalsustainablecateringpolicy.Afocusonpartnershipswhichlinklocal food with the sustainable business communityandtheartsisidentifiedasawayofbroadeningcommunityparticipation.

4. INTEGRATED APPROACH TO PLANNING FOR URBAN FOOD PRODUCTION

The Strategy recognises that planning and infrastructurearecriticalareaswhichimpacton the priority and support which can be giventourbanfoodproductioninitiatives.CouncilwilladvocatetoStategovernmentfor strong policy direction to incorporate urban food production into planning decisions.RelevantfoodproductionpolicywillalsobeintegratedintotheDarebinPlanningScheme(MSS)andlocalplanningpolicies.Projectswhichdemonstratetheintegrationoffoodgrowing,wasteandwatermanagementintourbanrenewalprojectswillbesupportedtoshowcasehowurbanfoodproductioncanbeimplementedmorebroadlyacrossthemunicipality.

Animplementationplanthatspecifiespriorityareasandactions,timelines,resourcesrequiredandresponsibilitiesfordeliverywillbedevelopedseparatelytothestrategybytheendof2014.Performancemeasuresandindicatorswillbedevelopedalongsideandbeincludedintheimplementationplan.


Urbanfoodproductionreferstothecultivation,processing and distribution of food in urban areas.TheCityofDarebinrecognisestheimportantrolefoodplaysinourlivesanditsimpactonourcommunityandenvironment.Itiscentraltoourhealthandwellbeing,socialconnectivityandculturalidentity.Althougharelativelynewarea,theDarebincommunityhasdemonstratedstrongsupportforurbanfoodproductionandsustainablefoodinitiatives.

The potential for local food production to bringpositivebenefitstothesocial,built,naturalandeconomicenvironmentinthemunicipalityhasbeenrecognisedintheCouncilPlan.CouncilcommittedtodevelopinganUrbanFoodProductionStrategyinboththe2013–2017HealthandWellbeingPlanand2012–2020GreenstreetsStreetscapeStrategy.TheStrategyisdesignedtolinkcloselywithandcomplementthe2010–2014FoodSecurityPolicy.Urbanfoodproductionisonewaytohelpimproveaccesstoreliablesuppliesofhealthyfood.TheFoodSecurityPolicycoversCouncil’srole in addressing the other physical and socialbarrierstoaccessingfoodinDarebin.

Appendix1detailsthespecificgoalsand strategies in the Council plan and theotherkeyCouncildocumentswhichsupporturbanfoodproduction.

Thepolicyimplicationsoflocalfoodproductionarefarreaching–manyotherexistingCouncilpoliciesandplanslinkwith,referenceand/orsupporturbanfoodproductionashighlightedinFigure1.

PURPOSE OF THE STRATEGYTheUrbanFoodProductionStrategyrecognisesthatfoodiscentraltoDarebin’scultureandidentity.ItoutlineshowCouncilcanguideandsupportthepassionandskillsforfoodgrowingandpreparationdemonstratedbymanyDarebinresidentstoincreasethecapacityofthecommunityasawholetomakehealthyandsustainablefoodchoices.

While encouraging and supporting food growinginDarebinisanobjective,thisStrategyisnotintendedtodeterminehowDarebincanbecomeself-sufficientinfreshfood.Ratheritseekstointegrateawiderangeoflocalfoodinitiativesintooururbanenvironmenttohelpincreaseawarenessofthelinksbetweenfood,healthandlivingmoresustainably.

ThedevelopmentoftheUrbanFoodProductionStrategyprovidestheopportunitytorecogniseourcommunity’sdesireforathrivingandresilientlocalfoodsystem.The Strategy describes how Council will worktogetherovertimewiththeDarebincommunitytorealiseasharedvisionforurbanfoodproductionwhichenhanceshealth,well-beingandcommunityconnectedness,andwhichrespectsthelimitsofournaturalresources.ItidentifieswhatiscurrentlywithinCouncil’scapacityandresourcestoachieve,aswellasfutureaspirations.TheStrategyprovidesaframeworktoinformCouncildecisionmakingandprioritisationaround the funding and resourcing of urbanfoodproductioninitiatives.

Why is Urban Food Production in Darebin Important?

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Figure 1 DarebinCouncilplans,policiesandstrategieswhichsupporturbanfoodproduction

URBAN FOOD PRODUCTION STRATEGY UsedFSPUD*principlestoincorporate

spaceforfoodgrowing.

PLANNING eg. Reservoir Structure Plan


MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT

“ Support food production for improvedhealth,amenity,food security and to reduce environmentalimpacts.”

COUNCIL PLAN

Achieveasustaineddownwardtrendinthekgperpersonofhouseholdwaste.

WASTE STRATEGY

Reduceemissionsandbuildresiliencebypromotinglocallyproducedinseasonfoodsoverprocessed,packagedfoodssourcedfromafar.Considerflexibilityforlocalisedeconomy,includingfoodproduction,whenreviewinglocalplanninggoals/policies.

COMMUNITY CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN

CLIMATE CHANGE / PEAK OIL ADAPTATION STRATEGY

Holisticallymanagestormwaterquality.

SUSTAINABLE WATER USE STRATEGY

“...promotefoodsecurity,healthy eating and safe food provision...”

“facilitatecommunityconnections through food growing/preparationanddiversefoodcultures.”

HEALTH AND WELL BEING PLAN

Considerinnovativesolutionstourbanfoodgrowingwhichdonotcompromisethepublic’saccesstoopenspace.

OPEN SPACE STRATEGY

Recognisesurbanfood production as a keydirection.Providefor edible plants in publiclandscapes.

GREEN STREETS STREETSCAPE STRATEGY

“Improvesustainability of food supplies at thelocallevelby...incorporatingcommunalfoodgrowing areas in newdevelopments,privatebackyardgardens and public spaces.”

FOOD SECURITY POLICY

“Increasetreecoverageonpubliclandstoatleast25%over15years.”

URBAN FOREST STRATEGY

*FSPUDreferstoFoodSensitivePlanningandUrbandesign–atoolusedtohelpconsider opportunitiesforfoodgrowing/provisioninplanningandurbandesignprocesses

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Challenges and Opportunities

In 2011 Darebin was ranked 39th out of 80 local government areas across Victoria in the Relative Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA), and there is a growing gap in income levels within Darebin.

EXISTING ASSETS

1 in 3 Darebin residents born overseas providing a rich diversity of food cultures as well as a strong connection to food growing. Council’s annual Darebin Backyard Harvest and Homemade Food and Wine Festivals recognise and celebrate the diverse multicultural home food growing and preserving traditions in Darebin.

CHALLENGES

EXISTING ASSETS

CHALLENGES

Population predicted to grow from 147,000 to over 160,000 by 2021.

of Darebin’s adult population have type 2 diabetes compared with the state average of 4.8%. The proportion of male and females in Darebin who are overweight is 41% and 24% respectively, compared with the Victorian average of 41% and 17%. Over 49% of people in Darebin did not meet the recommended intake for fruit and vegetables.

of Darebin residential rubbish is food and green waste (which is similar to the Melbourne average of 40%)

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38%38%

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46%46%

Darebin has 41 sq metres of open space per person (compared with 34 sq metres in Yarra, 27sq metres in Stonnington and 43 sq metres in Moreland)

of households surveyed in 2014 have a home fruit and / or vegetable garden.

6.4!

%

Preston and Reservoir scored 10, the highest rating in a heatwave vulnerability study.1

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5.8%5.8%of households surveyed in 2014 reported experiencing some degree of food insecurity.

Social Environment Natural Environment


CHALLENGES CHALLENGES

EXISTING ASSETS

60%60%

Low access to fresh food in Preston West and Reservoir East relative to other Darebin areas due to low car ownership rates, poor public transport connections, and distance to supermarkets / green grocers greater than 750 metres (10 minutes walk).

Around 60% of Darebin residential stock consists of separate houses and therefore good scope for back and front yard gardening.

Access to a diverse range of fresh food at the Preston Market; plus local produce at the Preston, Thornbury and Bundoora Park farmers markets.

Significant increase in cycle paths contributing to high quality networks for cycling and walking.

During 2012 – 2013, emergency relief agencies reported an increase in numbers of Darebin residents running out of food and not being able to afford more.

EXISTING ASSETS

In 2012 Darebin’s 425 Food services / outlets employed 3,022, an increase of 55 services/ outlets and 641 employees since 2009.

The partnership between Preston Market and SecondBite results in an average of more than 500kg fresh food donated to Darebin’s Emergency Food Relief network per week.

3,0223,022

Reports of cafés in Darebin engaging in local food sharing, helping connect communities around local food.2

LOW ACCESS

500kg500kg

Built Environment Economic Environment

LOCAL CONTEXTAstheCityofDarebingrowsanddevelopstherearebothchallengesandopportunitiesforurbanfoodproduction.Someofthestatisticswhichhighlightthesearepresentedonpages6and7.

CHALLENGESINCLUDEPOPULATIONGROWTHLEADINGTORESIDENTIALEXPANSIONANDINCREASEDDENSITY.THISWILLMEANLESSBACKYARDSPACE FORGROWINGFOODINTHEFUTURE.Darebinresidentshaverelativelyhighnutritionrelatedriskfactorsfordisease.Urbandesignanddevelopmentcanaddressaccesstohealthyaffordablefood.Thisincludesprovisionforurbanfoodproductionwhichcanplayanimportantrolereducingtheoverconsumptionofnutrientpoorfoodsandimprovedietrelatedhealthissues.

UnderCouncilguidance(asoutlinedinthisstrategyandtheFoodSecurityPolicy),localfoodinitiativescanbearoutetoaddressingboththesocio-economicinequalityandfoodinsecurityexperiencedbysomeDarebinresidents.

Urbanfoodproductionisaneffectiveplatformtodriveawarenessandbehaviourchangearound reducing and recycling food waste and water.ReducingDarebin’shighlevelsoffoodwastetolandfill,avoidingstormwaterdamageandenhancingbiodiversityarealloutcomeswhichcanbedeliveredthroughurbanfoodgrowing.Thecontributionoffruitandotherfoodtrees to urban greening can help reduce the ‘urbanheatislandeffect’3andhighvulnerabilityofsomeDarebinareastoheatwaves.

DarebinCouncilhasconsiderableassetstosupporturbanfoodproduction.Thisincludesbothourculturallydiversefoodculturewithstrong connections to food growing and the relativelygoodsupplyoflandforpotentialfoodgrowingsites,comparedwithothermetropolitanmunicipalities.Thisprovidesthe scope to support food production in concertwiththeothergoalsforaliveablecitysuchasprovidingamenity,openspaceandgreeningthroughtreesandparks.

Background

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BROADER CONTEXT

FOODPRODUCTIONANDSUPPLYHASBEENIDENTIFIEDASONEOFTHEKEYISSUESFORURBANSUSTAINABILITY.Melbourne,likeothercitiesinthedevelopedworld,reliesonaglobalisedfoodsystemwhich islargelycontrolledbyprivatecorporationsandis highly dependent on non-renewable fossil fuels forfertilisers,farmmachinery,transportation,refrigeration,storage,processingandpackaging4.

Foodproductionandconsumptionhasbeenestimatedtoaccountforapproximately 28%ofVictoria’secologicalfootprint,comparedtoservices22%,residentialenergyuse16%,goods14%,andtransport10%5.Theindustrialisedfoodsystemwillbeparticularlyvulnerableto‘peakoil’assupplybecomesmoreuncertainandfuelcostsrise6.

Australia is fortunate to produce an abundance ofgoodqualityfood.Australianfarmerssupply98%ofourfreshfruitandvegetables,meat,milkandeggs,andmorethanhalfof our agricultural produce is exported7.Howeverproducingenoughfoodisonlyone aspect of a secure and resilient food system.VictorianfoodsystemsandsecurityinVictoriafacearangeofchallengesinthe

comingyears.Notonlyisfoodproductionanddistributionvulnerabletotheincreaseinfrequencyandseverityofextremeweathereventsassociatedwithclimatechange,theconventionalfoodsystemisitselfamajorcontributortothegreenhousegasemissionswhichcontributetoachangingclimate8.Wehavealreadyseenincreasedvariabilityinfoodavailabilityandcostsandthisislikelytocontinue.Conventionalagricultureisfacingincreasedcompetitionfornaturalresourcessuch as land and water and has been shown tocausesignificantdamagetotheland,soilandecosystemsonwhichitdepends.Farmsaregettinglarger,moreintensifiedandspecialised9.Highercostsandlowerreturnsareimpactingfarmviabilityandcontributingtorapidlydecliningnumbersoffarmsandfarmers,withover70%ofthoseremainingrelyingonoff-farmincometomakealiving10.


AnotherindicatorthatconventionalfoodsystemsarefailingusisthatthefoodanincreasingnumberofAustraliansareconsumingiscontributingtoalarminglyhighlevelsofdisease11.InacountryashighlyurbanisedasAustralia(where9outof10peopleliveincities)12manyconsumersareliterallydistantfromtheirsourceoffood,aswellasintermsofknowledgeandpersonalexperience.Thislackoffoodliteracyhasbeenlinkedwithapoordietandhighlevelsoffoodwasteduetoalackofunderstandingorappreciationoftheresourcesthathavegone into producing food13.Theconsumeristheendpointofasysteminwhichsectorsarefragmentedandoperatesequentially–whereagricultureisseenasseparatefromprocessing,distributionandconsumption.

Thefundamentalsystemicchangesrequiredto address these issues are outside the control oflocalgovernments.HoweverCouncilcanplayaroleinadvocatingtotheStateandFederalgovernmentsforlegislativechangesinhealth,planning,businessandagriculturetocreateafairerandmoreresilientfoodsystemforbothAustralianfarmersandconsumers.

TherearepositivesignsAustralia’surbanpopulationisbecomingincreasinglyinterestedintheorigin,quality,freshness,nutritionandethicsoftheirfood,asevidencedbythedemandforlocal,seasonalfoodinhomes,schoolsandfoodserviceoutlets14.Supportingtheestablishmentoflocalfoodsystemsisapracticalandeffectivewayforlocalgovernmenttohelptheurbanpopulationtakemoreinterestin,andhaveastakeinhowcitiesaretobefedinthefuture.

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How does urban food production fit into local food systems thinking?

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Figure 2 CommunityBasedLocalFoodSystems:TypesandBenefits


LOCALFOODSYSTEMSTHINKINGHASEMERGEDOUT OFTHELOCALORCOMMUNITYBASEDFOODMOVEMENTANDISBASEDONPRINCIPLESOFCOLLABORATIONANDCOOPERATION.ITISFOCUSEDONINTEGRATINGINAHOLISTICWAYTHEFOODSYSTEMSECTORSFROM‘PADDOCKTOPLATE’SOTHATTHESYNERGIESANDMUTUALBENEFITSAREMAXIMISEDTOSTRENGTHENTHESYSTEMASAWHOLE.THEOVERRIDINGGOALISTOOPTIMISEBOTHPEOPLEANDECOSYSTEMHEALTH.

This strategy is concerned with how Council can support urban food production as part ofthecreationoflocalfoodsystemsinDarebinaswellasMelbournemorewidely.This includes food grown and produced in Darebinandhowthislinkswithandimpactsonfooddistribution,processingorpreparationandconsumptionwithinthemunicipality.TheinnerwheelsofFigure2showthefoodsystemsectors(producing,processing,distribution,retailing,consumptionanddisposal)andtherangeofcommunitybasedlocalfoodinitiativeswhichlinkthesectorsindifferentways.Theouterwheelsshowthemultiplesocial,economicandenvironmentalbenefitsthatcanflowfromtheseactivities.

Thestrongerthelinksbetweenlocalfoodproduction,distributionandpreparation,thegreaterthepotentialforareliable,diverseand affordable source of local food which contributestobetterhealth,well-beingandenvironmentaloutcomes.Forexampleahousehold that grows their own fresh food ismorelikelytounderstandthatcultivation,preparation,consumptionanddisposalarestronglylinkedandthereforewilllikelyhavea deep appreciation of the seasonality and resourcesthathavegoneintothefoodthey’vegrown.Theirphysicalandmentalhealthaswellassocialconnectivityisbeingenhancedthrough the growing and sharing of food15.

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Vision LOCALFOODSYSTEMSWHICHARESECURE,HEALTHY,SUSTAINABLEANDFAIR

UrbanfoodproductioninDarebin:

■■ isdiverse,innovative,andpartofathrivinglocalfoodculturewheregrowingand sourcing fresh food locally is the newnorm

■■ celebratesdiversityandmulticultural food traditions

■■ facilitatesequalaccesstosufficientsafe andnutritiousfoodforall,bothnowandinto the future

■■ supportshighlevelsoffoodliteracyandhealthy,ethicaleatingpractices

■■ leadstopositiveenvironmentaloutcomesandtheregenerationofnatural resources

■■ islinkedwithlocalfoodbusinessesandenterprisesandispartofadiverselocalfoodeconomy

■■ isintegraltohealthy,connectedand resilientcommunities


THEFOLLOWINGASSUMPTIONSANDGUIDINGPRINCIPLESUNDERPINTHEDEVELOPMENTOFTHEURBANFOODPRODUCTIONSTRATEGY:

Assumptions and Guiding Principles

■■ Accesstoadequatenutritiousandsafe foodisabasichumanright.

■■ Thevulnerabilityofcurrentfoodsystems toresourceconstraints(includingpeakoil)andclimatechangehighlighttheneedforbetterfoodproductionmodelsandamoreresilientfoodsupply.

■■ Localgovernmentiswellplacedtoplayakeyroleinpromoting,facilitatingandadvocatingforurbanfoodproduction.

■■ Recogniseandharnessthewealthofexistingskillsandpassioninthecommunityto inspire wider participation in urban food production.

■■ Thedifferentdemographicsacrossthemunicipalitycallfordifferentapproachestoimplementingurbanfoodproduction.The range of foods produced and types ofsystemsdevelopedwillneedtobediverseandappropriatetothesocialandenvironmentalcontextinwhichtheyoperate.

■■ Thegoalsandvisionforurbanfoodproductionsetoutinthisstrategyrequirean integrated response which calls for innovativepartnershipswiththecommunity,localbusiness,professionalstakeholdersandalllevelsofgovernment.

■■ Anevidencebasedapproachwillbeusedto ensure the strategy is guided by research andsupportinginformation.MonitoringandevaluatingtheimpactsandlessonslearnedfromurbanfoodproductionprogramsandinitiativesisessentialtoincreasingtheknowledgeandskillsofbothCouncilandthecommunityinthisrelativelynewanddynamicarea.

14 CITY OF DAREBIN

COUNCIL RECOGNISES THAT THERE ARE KEY AREAS WHERE WE CAN MAKE THE BEST CONTRIBUTION TOWARD REALISING THE VISION FOR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS WHICH ARE SECURE, HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE AND FAIR.

HowevertherearealsomanyintersectingfactorsandissuesthatimpactonthesuccessoflocalfoodsystemswhichareoutsideofCouncil’sdirectresponsibilityorcontrol.Businesses,thecommunity,non-governmentorganisations,academiaandalllevelsofgovernmentmustallplayapartifwearetorealiseourvisionforurbanfoodproductioninDarebin.

DarebinCouncilcommitstoplayingthe followingroles:

1. BUILD THE CAPACITY OF THE COMMUNITY

Providetargetedprogramsthatsupportthedevelopmentofskillsandinspirepeopletogrowandpreparefoodlocally.Thisincludeswhole-of-communitycapacitybuildingto strengthen the urban food production networkoverall,aswellastargetingdisadvantagedcommunitieswhoseneedforthesocialandhealthbenefitsprovidedbytheseskillsisgreatest.Councilwillharnesstheexistingskillsandresourceswithinthecommunitytoachievethis.

2. LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY

DemonstrateleadershipthroughCouncil’s ownactivitieswhichdemonstratesupport forlocalandsustainablefoodproduction. AdvocatetotheStateandFederalgovernments fortheappropriatelegislativechangestocreatefairerandmoreresilientfoodsystems,aswellasforthesupportofurbanfoodproductionasalegitimatelanduseinbothStateandLocalPlanningProvisions.Establishtransparentandstreamlinedinternalprocessesforevaluatingandsupportingarangeofurbanfoodproductioninitiatives.

3. PLANNING INFRASTRUCTURE AND REGULATION

Manageourstatutoryresponsibilities,servicedelivery,resourcesandinfrastructuretosupport urban food production in ways which complementandenhanceourabilitytomeetourotherobligations(suchaswasteandwatermanagement,urbanrevegetation,provisionofopenspace,increasingbiodiversity,andprovidingsafeandinvitingcommunalspaces).

4. BUILDING AND STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS

Partnerwithkeystakeholdersincludingcommunitygroups,communitygardens,localbusinesses,sustainablefoodprofessionalsandotherlevelsofgovernmenttosupportdiverseandinnovativeurbanfoodproductioninitiatives.MaximiseopportunitiestodelivertheStrategyobjectivesinpartnershipwithprogramsacrossCouncilwhichhavecomplementarygoals.

Theserolesprovidetheframeworkforhow Council will support urban food production infourkeyactionareas.

The Role of Council


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Key Action AreasThecommunity’sstronginterestinsustainablelocalfoodsystemshasbeenrecognisedthroughtheallocationoffundingtodevelopanddeliveraSustainableFoodPrograminDarebineachyearsince2009.ProgramcontentcontinuestoevolvebasedontheissuesandprioritiesidentifiedatSustainableFoodLeaderForumsheldsince2010,aswellasfromfeedbackobtainedduringtheprogram’seventsandactivities.

FourkeyactionareashavebeenidentifiedfromtheworkCouncilhasalreadyundertakenaswellasfromresearch into urban food production approaches and opportunitiesinalocalgovernmentcontext.Theseare:

1. Home Food Growing

2. Community Gardens

3. Other Urban Food Production Models

4. Integrated Approach to Planning for Urban Food Production


Home Food GrowingKEY

ACTION 1

1.1 BACKGROUND AND CONTEXTPrivatefoodgardensareoneofthebiggestopportunities for urban food production inDarebin.Darebin’spopulationishighlydiverse,with1in3residentsbornoverseas.

GARDENINGANDFOODTRADITIONSHAVEBEENBROUGHTTODAREBINFROMFIRSTANDSECONDGENERATIONMIGRANTS.THISHASHELPEDESTABLISHASTRONGCULTUREOFGROWINGANDPRESERVINGFOOD ATHOME.

Council’sannualDarebinBackyardHarvest(Seecasestudypage19)andHomemadeFoodandWinefestivalssuccessfullypromoteandcelebratethisculture.Thebenefitsofsupportingandpromotinghomefoodproductionare:

■■ There is a high proportion of land suitable for growingfoodlockedupinprivateresidencesinDarebin.SixtypercentofDarebindwellingsareseparatehouses(althoughtownhousesandapartmentswillmakeupa greater percentage in future as housing densityincreases).Privateyardsgenerallyhavegoodwaterandsolaraccess,lowerriskofsoilcontaminationversusotherurbanland,easeofaccessandfewsecurityissues.

■■ Itaddressesperceivedbarrierstohomefoodgardening,suchaslackoftime,spaceandknowledgeanddemonstratesthatitcanbeaneasy,convenientandlowcostsourceoffreshfood.Eventhosewithlimitedspaceand/orrenterscangrowherbsandafewvegetablesonabalconyorverticalgardenonawall.

■■ Theincreasedfruitandvegetableintakereportedbyhomegardenersaswellasthementalandphysicalhealthbenefits16 can contributesignificantlytotheoverallhealthandwellbeingoftheDarebincommunity.

■■ Ifawarenessofhomefoodgrowingisenhancedattheneighbourhoodlevelthiscanhelpdevelopastrongsenseofcollectivepurpose around food growing so that it becomesthesocialnorm.Thisinturncanincrease the acceptance of and desire for localfoodsystemsonaDarebin-widescale.

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Darebin Backyard Harvest Festival

The popular annual Darebin Backyard Harvest Festival was established in partnership with the Darebin Ethnic Communities Council (DECC) in 2011. It has grown from 6 open gardens in 2011 to 14 open gardens and 5 workshops in 2013 when over 290 people attended. The festival has been successful in providing opportunities for the community to share food growing knowledge and skills across generations and cultures. Participant feedback indicates the home grown food message is believable and relatable coming from the gardeners themselves in their own backyards. More than 90 per cent of participants at the 2013 festival were from Darebin. The festival can help create a support network at the neighbourhood scale to collaborate and learn about home food growing beyond the festival itself.

CASE STUDY

“We went to three gardens. They were fabulous, and we have made some new gardening friends to share goods and swap recipes.”

“Open Garden 5…was the epitome of what the festival is all about – a cross-generational, cross- cultural sharing of gardening (and food preparation) skills.”

2013 Darebin Backyard Harvest Festival Participants


1.2 BACKYARD BEE AND CHICKEN/LIVESTOCK KEEPING

THEREISAGROWINGINTERESTINKEEPINGCHICKENSANDBEESINURBANBACKYARDS.COUNCILSUPPORTSKEEPINGCHICKENSALONGSIDECOMPOSTINGANDWORMFARMINGASPARTOFHOMEORGANIC WASTERECYCLINGSYSTEMS.

Chickensturnthefoodwastetheyeatintobothnutritiouseggsandnitrogenrichmanurewhichcanbeusedasgardenfertilizer.Ifmanagedwell,chickensalsocontrolgardeninsectpestsandimprovesoilhealth.

Councilalsorecognisestheimportanceofbeestoourfoodsystems.Worldwide,beespollinateoverathirdofourfoodsupply,andupto65percentofAustralia’sagriculturalcrops17.Beepopulationsareindeclineinmanypartsoftheworld.WhileAustraliahasnotyetexperiencedaseriousoutbreakofbeepestsordisease,theimpactoncommercialcropswhichrelyonbeepollinationcouldbedevastating.Beekeepingincitiesisagrowingtrendwhichapartfrom

providinglocalhoneycanhelpeducateurbanpopulationsonthecriticallinksbetweenbeesandthelifecycleofmanyofourfoodcrops.Althoughthebulkofdomesticbeekeepingisbasedontheintroducedhoneybee,itisalsopossibletokeepnativebees.Providingahomefornativebeesinurbanareascanhelp rebuild populations affected by urban developmentandsupportplantbiodiversity.

ItisimportantthaturbanchickenandbeekeepinginDarebincomplieswiththerelevantStateandLocalGovernmentregulations(see‘RegulationsonKeepingAnimalsforFood’).

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The numbers and conditions for keeping animals in Darebin are specified in the Domestic Animals Management Strategy 2009. These are enforced through the Local Laws process. Darebin’s Local Laws are based on State and Local Government regulations and are designed to protect and maintain residential amenity, public health and safety. Laws related to keeping animals are also concerned with promoting animal welfare.

Darebin’s Local Laws currently allow for up to 5 chickens (excluding roosters) per household without a permit.

A permit is required to keep bees. In addition, all bee hives must be registered with the Department of Environment and

Primary Industries (DEPI) in accordance with the Livestock Disease Control Act. Management and planning requirements for bee keeping based on the Apiaries Code of Practice have been incorporated in the State Section of all planning schemes. If these requirements cannot be met, a town planning permit is also required to keep bees.

A permit is required to keep roosters, cattle, sheep, horses, goats, and pigs.

Permits can be applied for through Council’s Animal Management Unit. Applications may require at least 75% approval from neighbours before being assessed.

What are the regulations on keeping animals for food?


1.3 COUNCIL’S ROLE

COUNCIL’SSUSTAINABLEFOOD,SUSTAINABLEHOMESANDCOMMUNITIESANDOTHERPROGRAMSHAVEIMPROVEDTHECOMMUNITY’SSKILLSANDKNOWLEDGEINHOMEFOODGROWING.Arangeofresourcematerialshavebeendevelopedtosupportthisprocess.Wewillcontinuetoprovideinformationandfreeworkshopsonhomefoodgrowingtopics,includingpermaculture,vegetablegardening,composting,wormfarms,backyardchickens,beekeepingandpreservinghome-grownfood.The2014CommunityLeadersinSustainabilityCoursedeliveredbytheSustainableHomesandCommunitiesprogramhasfurtherempoweredcommunitymemberstoembarkonlocalfoodgrowingprojectsasleaders.

CouncillededucationandskillbuildinginprivatefoodgardeningwillbeframedwithintherequirementsofthelocallawsandtheDarebinPlanningSchemeinrelationtoland-uses.Growingfoodatprivateresidencesforhomeconsumptiondoesnotrequireaplanningpermitbutshouldcomplywith

thelocallawsregardingkeepingthevisualamenityoftheneighbourhood.Councilcanprovideadvice,guidanceandsupportontheplanningpermitrequirementsforotherlocalfoodgrowingactivitiesonprivateland.

Councilaimstomaximisethepotentialbenefitsbyintegratinghomefoodgrowingeducationprogramswithothercommunitydevelopmentandplanninginitiativesdesignedtocreatemoreliveable,interconnectedandsaferneighbourhoods.Thisincludesprogramswhichhelpelderlycommunitymembersstart or continue food gardening as well aspreservingtheknowledgeandskillsofolderfoodgardenersforfuturegenerations.Councilwillalsodevelophomefoodgrowingprogramswhichtargetrentersandthosefromculturallydiversebackgrounds,particularlynewlyarrivedmigrantsandrefugees.

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■■ Continue to develop and implement resources and programs to inspire and support and address perceived barriers to home food gardening across different sectors of the community.

■■ Continue to review and develop the Backyard Harvest Festival program to empower and inspire home food gardeners across different cultures, generations and demographics. Further develop links with the Homemade Food and Wine Festival to support and celebrate multicultural home food preserving and preparation traditions as part of Darebin’s thriving local food culture.

■■ Explore partnerships between Council departments and / or with external agencies to deliver home food growing, preserving and preparation initiatives as part of an integrated approach to creating resilient and connected communities.

■■ Continue to support the community in understanding State and Local government regulations relating to urban food production. Review and identify appropriate updates to the relevant Local Laws to reduce unnecessary impediments to home food gardening as part of the Local Laws 2015 review.

Actions


Community Gardens

2.1 BACKGROUND AND CONTEXTCommunitygardensarethemostcommoncommunalfoodgrowinginitiativeinDarebin.CouncilhassupportedtheestablishmentofanumberofcommunitygardensonCouncilland.TheseincludetheNorthcoteLibraryFoodGarden,theEastReservoirCommunityGarden,BundooraParkCommunityGardenandSPANCommunityGardeninThornbury.

Communitygardensinvolvethecollectivegardening of a single piece of land by a communitygrouponanot-for-profitbasisproducingfoodprimarilyfortheconsumptionofthegardeners.Communitygardenscanbeestablishedonprivatelyownedlandoronlandownedand/ormanagedbyCouncil.

Councilhasidentified15communitygardensinDarebinasshownonthemapaccessedthroughthelinkinAppendix3.Thesevaryinsize,accessandgovernance/operatingmodels.Themostcommontypesofcommunitygardensinclude:

■■ Acollectionofgardenallotments, eachtendedindividuallybycommunitymembersandtheirfamilies

■■ Theentiregardenspacecultivatedandmanagedcollectively

■■ Amixtureofallotmentandcollectivegardening

■■ Gardensestablishedtosupport programsrunbycommunityagencies or centres for select groups of disadvantagedcommunitymembers

■■ School gardens where the school communitypartnerswithlocalresidents tomanagethegarden

■■ Gardensdesignedtobeshorttermortemporaryonlanddesignatedforotheruses in the future

Therearemanymoreschoolkitchengardensnotopentothegeneralcommunityandshared food gardens on public housing estatesusedspecificallybyresidentsofthoseestates.ThesegenerallyreceiveStateorFederalgovernmentfundingandsupport.

Vergeornaturestripgardensandstreettreesarecoveredseparatelyunderthe2012–2020GreenStreetsStreetscapeStrategy.Theselection,plantingandmaintenanceofstreet trees is the responsibility of Council inconsultationwiththecommunity.Asageneralrule,fruitornuttreesarenotsuitablestreettreesduetothehighmaintenancerequirementsandthepotentialpublichealthandsafetyrisksfromfallenfruitandnuts.

Thereareanumberofotherexistingpublic food growing sites in addition to thecommunitygardenslistedonthemapinAppendix3.Forexamplethereisanorchard and a bush foods garden at Coopers SettlementinBundooraPark.Councilhasalsoincludedediblesinsomeofitspocketparkupgradeswhichthelocalcommunityhavebeenencouragedtohelpharvestandmaintain.Whereverfeasible,thecommunitywillbeencouragedtomakeuseofexistingurbanfoodgrowingsitesandresources.

2KEY ACTION

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PHOTO BY JIAN XIAO


At present there is no simple or clearly defined method for assessing whether the level of soil contamination on a potential food growing site poses a risk to human health, or guidelines to manage the issue for different kinds and levels of contamination. Council recognises that engaging soil engineering specialists for advice is beyond most community groups due to the costs involved. This is a potential barrier to increasing community gardens in Darebin. Council is involved in a contaminated soils working group consisting of representatives from the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Not-for-profits CERES and Cultivating Community, community garden groups, and other councils.

The aim is to develop a Growing Food in Urban Soils guideline which is endorsed by the Victorian Department of Health and the EPA. Council will consider supporting funding applications to the state government or other sources to progress the work, recognising it could take a year or more. To reduce contamination risk, food on Council land is generally grown in raised garden beds filled with clean soil from a trusted source. See the resources section of www.darebinfoodharvestnetwork.org.au for tips on food gardening in raised beds.

A note on Soil Contamination

2.2 MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY GARDENS

ESTABLISHINGANDMAINTAININGACOMMUNITYGARDENREQUIRESSUBSTANTIALCOMMUNITYINVOLVEMENTANDCOMMITMENT.

HoweverathrivingcommunitygardenoffersmanybenefitstothecommunityandfulfilsanumberofCouncil’senvironmentalandsocialobjectives.Thebenefitsinclude:healthyfood,exercise,improvedmentalhealth,socialinteractionandconnectivity,mentoringandskillbuilding.Communitygardenscanbeafocalpointfordiversemembersofthecommunitytocometogetherandsharetheirfoodcultivationandpreparationskills.

ItisCouncil’spolicythatcommunitygardensaremanagedandimplementedbythecommunity.Communitygardengroupshavethemostchanceforlongtermsuccesswhentheyformstrongpartnershipswithsponsoring agencies and other organisations andhavediversifiedfundingstreams.

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The Northcote Library Food Garden was established next to the Northcote Library in 2011. The site is highly visible and accessible from Separation Street and adjacent to dwellings with small or no private garden space. These features have helped the Northcote Library Food Garden work successfully as a gardening space which is open to everyone and is cultivated communally in raised garden beds. This shared cultivation fosters community connectedness around the production of healthy organic food. The group managing the garden have become an incorporated association and consist of many members who were involved in the planning and design from the garden’s inception in 2011. This has fostered a high degree of ownership and independence. At the same time Council has maintained a close partnership with the group, supporting them to hold workshops, activities and events to support and educate the local community in sustainable food and gardening practices.

The terms of the relationship including the rights and responsibilities of both parties have been documented in a Memorandum of Understanding, which can be viewed at www.darebinfoodharvestnetwork.org.au under Resources – Community Gardens.

Northcote Library Food GardenCASE STUDY

InthecaseofcommunitygardensonCouncilland,therearekeyconditionswhichneedtobemettoensuretheneedsofallstakeholdersaretakenintoaccount.AlicenceagreementwilloutlinethegeneraltermsofuseforgrowingfoodonCouncilland.Inaddition,Councilwillworkwiththecommunitygardengrouptoestablishthedetailedtermsoftherelationshiponasitespecificbasis.Thiscanbedoneinoneoftwoways:

a. eithersetoutinaMemorandum ofUnderstandingbetweenCounciland the garden group or

b.thegardengroupcouldbeauspicedbyacommunitycentreorneighbourhoodhousewithwhomCouncilhasaformalagreement.

Someoftheareascoveredbysuchagreementsinclude:

■■ Mapofthesiteincludingmajorfeatures and infrastructure

■■ Gardeners’responsibilities,whichincludemanagingthegardentomaintainthe safetyandhealthofthecommunityand tobeinclusiveofthecommunity

■■ Council’sresponsibilities,includingundertakinggeneralmaintenanceof garden infrastructure

■■ Insuranceandriskmanagement

■■ Governanceandlegalstructure,includingwhether the group is to be incorporated

■■ Disputeresolutionprocess

■■ Termsoftheagreement

■■ Otheritemsasmutuallyagreed

ItisCouncil’spolicytowaiverent/feesforcommunityfoodgrowingonCouncilland on the understanding these sites arerunbyvolunteersonanot-for-profitbasisforthebenefitofthecommunity.


2.3 COUNCIL’S ROLE The role that Council will play in supporting anestablishedcommunitygardenwillvaryaccordingtowhetheritislocatedonprivateorpublicland,howitisfundedanditsgovernancestructure.Councilcommitstoprovidingthefollowinggeneralservicestoallcommunitygardengroups:

■■ Makecommunitygardeningguidelinesandothersupportingdocumentsreadilyavailableandprovidegeneraladviceoncommunitygardenmanagement.

■■ Provideopportunitiestonetworkwithothercommunitygardengroupsandsustainablefoodleaderstoshareskillsandknowledge

■■ PromotethecommunitygardenanditsactivitiesonCouncilwebsitesandthroughitssustainabilitynetworks.

■■ Assist garden groups in connecting with agencies,localorganisationsandbusinessestoprovideopportunitiesforformingmutuallybeneficialpartnerships.

■■ Supporttoestablishrecycling,wormfarmsandcompostingfacilities.Wormfarm/compostbinswillbesuppliedfreeofchargetocommunitygardengroupswhoarecommittedtoongoingorganicwastemanagement.Inreturntheyarerequiredtoholdcomposting/wormfarmingworkshopsfortheirlocalcommunityandadvertiseCouncil’swormfarm/compostingprograms.

■■ CommunitygardengroupsareentitledtoaccesstheCityofDarebinCommunityGrantsprogram,regardlessofwhethertheyarebasedonpublicorprivateland.Funding

forcommunitygardensiscontingentuponbudgetconstraintsanddemand.Councilwillalsoshareinformationonotherfundingandfundraisingopportunitiesastheyarise.

■■ Providedcommunitygardengroupshavedemonstratedtheyarecommittedtomanagingtheirgarden,includingresponsibleresourceuse,Councilcanprovideone-offassistanceonanasneedsbasiswithmulch,plantsandwaterduringexceptionallydryperiods.

Throughthe2012–2020GreenStreetsStreetscapeStrategy,Councilhasalreadycommittedtoincreasingtheprevalenceofcommunitygardensandcreatingopportunitiesforcommunitygardensonpublicland.

CouncilworkedwithTransitionDarebinandtheSustainableFoodLeadersforumin2013todevelopamapofpotentialfoodproductionsitesinDarebinonCouncilorotherpubliclandandprivateland.TheseareshownonthemapaccessedthroughthelinkinAppendix3.

Themappingexerciseidentifiedthattherearearangeofconsiderationswhichimpactthe suitability of potential food garden sites.Consultationwithabroadrangeofstakeholdersisrequiredtoensureallpotentialissueshavebeenaddressedbeforeacommunitygardenorotherfoodgrowingsitecanbeinitiated.Councilrecogniseditwasimportanttodevelopaconsultationandassessmentprocesswhichdealswithanyquestionsorconcernscomprehensivelyandequitably.TheDarebin Communal Food Garden (Community Garden) Assessment GuidelinesoutlinethestepsinvolvedforbothCommunitymembersandCouncilstaffto

28 CITY OF DAREBIN

assessapotentialurbanfoodgrowingsite.FortheCityofDarebintoconsidersupportingurbanfoodgrowing(includingnewcommunitygardens)onCouncilownedormanagedland,applicantswillneedtoaddressthesiteselectioncriteriaoutlinedintheseguidelines.

Thereispotentialforthemanyschoolkitchengardens and public housing estate food gardensinDarebintoshareknowledgeandcollaboratewithothercommunitygardensandhomefoodgardeners.Thiswouldhelpfoster intercultural and cross-generational food growingnetworksandmentoringopportunitiesmorebroadlyintheDarebincommunity.

Council recognises the strong connection theAboriginalcommunityhavewiththeland.Incorporatingindigenousfoodplantingexamplesandtechniquesincommunalfood gardening sites celebrates this connectionandknowledge.Additionallyitreinforcesconnectionwiththeecosystemsandseasonalcyclesthatproducefood.

Communalfoodgrowingneednotbesegregatedfromothertypesofurbangreening.ThiscouldbeinitiatedbyCouncilormembersofthecommunity.Thesamegeneral site selection criteria outlined intheDarebinCommunalFoodGardenAssessmentGuidelineswouldapply,including:avoidingnaturalconservationareas;notimpactingonotherlandusesandtakingintoaccountpotentialsoilcontaminationissues.Councilwillalsocontinuetosupportplanting food producing trees on suitable siteswherethereisstrongcommunitysupportforharvestingandmaintenance.Anexampleisthe2014AllNationsFoodForestprojectinAllNationsPark,Northcote.

■■ Develop site assessment form and community consultation guideline / report template to support communal food garden applications on Council land.

■■ Develop a licence agreement template for community gardens.

■■ Promote and make the communal food garden assessment process, forms and licence agreement templates available on-line.

■■ Look for opportunities to collaborate with schools and public housing tenant groups on urban food production projects, including mentoring programs.

■■ Consult with the Aboriginal community regarding opportunities and concepts for growing indigenous foods.

Actions


3.1 BACKGROUND AND CONTEXTCouncilrecognisesthatCommunityGardensare only one of a whole range of possible food productionmodels.Urbanfoodproductionhasthepotentialtorealisemultiplesocial,economicandenvironmentalbenefitswhencollaborativepartnershipsareformedtolinkproductionwithlocaldistribution,wasteandrecycling,andcommunitydevelopmentinitiatives.Thepilotingofinnovativeurbanfoodproductionmodelswhichengage adiversedemographicandhaveastrongeducationalcomponentcanhelpspeedthediffusionofalocalfoodgrowingculture.

3.2 COUNCIL’S ROLECouncil is open to considering support forawiderangeoflocalfoodsystemmodelswherecommunityneedandbenefitcanbedemonstrated.ExamplesoflocalfoodinitiativeswhichCounciliseitheralready supporting or would consider supportinginthefutureinclude:

■■ Food Forests: DarebinCouncilisestablishingtheAllNationsFoodForestin2014,apublicallyaccessiblefoodgrowingspace which is also designed to be a place wherethecommunitycansharefoodproductionideas,learnnewskillsandtrialnewspecies.AfoodforestsitehasbeenincludedintheBundooraParkMasterPlan.FoodForestscanalsobealowmaintenance,highlyproductivefeature ofcommunitygardens.

■■ City Farms: CERES(CentreforEducationandResearchinEnvironmentalStrategies)intheCityofMorelandnotonlygrowsandsellssignificantquantitiesoffoodusingthe latest sustainable urban agriculture techniques,butisademonstrationandeducationhubforsustainableliving

Other Urban Food Production ModelsKEY

ACTION 3

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■■ Roof Top Gardens / Farms: Growingfood on roofs is a growing trend in land scarcecitieslikeNewYork.Roofscanbeunderutilisedspaceswithlessuseconflictissuesthanland.RoofTopgardenscanalsocontributetoCouncil’sEnvironmentallySustainableDevelopment(ESD)Goals byreducingthe‘urbanheatislandeffect’, providinginsulationandreducingstormwaterrunoffdamage.

■■ Food and Labour Share Programs: Thiscanrangefromasimplefoodswapsinvolvingthesharingofexcesshomegrownandpreservedfoodsthroughtoformalprogramswhichharnesslocalvolunteerlabourandexcessproduce(SeeFruitSquadcasestudyPage32).

■■ Community Food Enterprises: These can benot-for-profitsorbusinesseswhopartnerwithlocalcommunitygroupstobenefitthecommunitythroughtheprovisionoflocallygrown/sourcedaffordablehealthyfood.AnexampleinDarebinistheSPROUTCommunitymarketinThornbury,whichispartofthecommunitygardenprogramofMindAustralia.

FoodHubs,CommunitySupportedAgriculturePrograms,FoodCooperatives,DirectDeliverySchemesandFarmersMarketsareallexamplesofcommunitybasedfooddistributionwhichaimstoconnectconsumersmoredirectlywithlocalfarmers.‘Local’inthiscasegenerallyreferstofarmsinareasoutsideofDarebin(inoutermunicipalitiesandregionalVictoria).Theseinitiativesareconsideredimportantforconnectingourlocalfoodsystemswiththegreaterregionalfoodnetwork.Councilwillsupporttheseactivitiesthroughpromotiononitswebsites(includingtheDarebinFoodHarvestNetworkwebsite) and other publications both internallyandtothecommunity.Councilisasignificantprocurerofcateringfromlocalfoodbusinesses,sothereisanopportunitytoinfluencethosebusinessestowardsourcingethicallyproduced,seasonalandlocalfood.

ThereareopportunitiestocreativelylinklocalfoodinitiativeswithartsandculturalactivitiesinDarebin.Foodgrowingsiteswhichincorporateartfeatureshelpmaketheminvitingcommunalspaces.LocalfoodorcommunitygardeninggroupscouldhostorparticipateinDarebinartsormusicfestivals,helpingcreateconnectionsmorebroadlyacrosscommunitiesandbetweengenerationsthroughthecombinedmediumsoffoodandart.


Fruit Squad

“It’s such a waste (of fruit) otherwise; it’s good to know that it’s going to good use”

Darebin Fruit Tree Owner

“I enjoy the social connection to like-minded people, doing something good, useful and unique”

Fruit Squad Volunteer

The Fruit Squad is a Darebin based community fruit harvesting project. It was created through a partnership between Transition Darebin and Jika Jika Community Centre that has been strengthened by funding and support from Darebin Council. Trained volunteers harvest surplus fruit from local fruit trees in private yards and public spaces. The fruit is redistributed to agencies like SecondBite who supply it to people in need. In return for surplus fruit, the Fruit Squad offer basic fruit tree maintenance.

The Fruit Squad is an innovative local food distribution model which makes use of an existing source of local, fresh fruit that is going to waste – much of this is found in backyards in orchard stock planted by previous generations. Volunteers not only assist in the practicalities of harvesting and collecting fruit but can also help with social connections and capacity building by enabling skill share between householders and volunteers, and supporting aged or disabled people to maintain their fruit trees. The result is an increased awareness of and value in Darebin’s fruit tree stock, preserving this valuable source of local food for future generations.

CASE STUDY

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■■ Provide opportunities for Darebin’s sustainable food network to learn from innovative urban food production projects and leading sustainable food businesses to inspire ideas and collaboration.

■■ Create an internal forum and process for relevant Council areas to consider and develop innovative urban food production proposals.

■■ Explore options for recognising and rewarding community food enterprises, for example as an extension of the ‘Greening our Business’ program.

■■ Identify innovative local food projects to promote as catalysts for the more widespread adoption of urban food production.

■■ Develop an internal sustainable catering policy which includes encouraging orders from vendors who source ethically produced, seasonal and local food. Share and promote the policy with other organisations.

■■ Look for opportunities to broaden community participation and connectedness by including local food growing groups and activities in Darebin arts festivals such as the True North Reservoir Arts Festival.

Actions

Council created the Darebin Food Harvest Network website for community groups and individuals involved in or interested in sustainable food initiatives and food security. Council signs up members who can then post news, resources and events on the site. It is designed to work in conjunction with the biannual Sustainable Food Leaders Forum to enable community members and Council to collaborate strategically and connect to share experiences and ideas on sustainable food and food security initiatives and projects.

Darebin Food Harvest Network


4.1 BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

COUNCILRECOGNISESTHATPLANNINGANDINFRASTRUCTUREARECRITICALAREASWHICHIMPACTONTHEPRIORITYANDSUPPORTWHICH CANBEGIVENTOURBANFOODPRODUCTIONINITIATIVES.

TheStatePlanningPolicyFrameworkseeksto‘ensurethattheobjectivesofplanninginVictoria(assetoutinSection4ofthePlanningandEnvironmentAct1987)arefosteredthroughappropriatelanduseanddevelopmentplanning policies and practices which integrate relevantenvironmental,socialandeconomicfactorsintheinterestsofnetcommunitybenefitandsustainabledevelopment.’HoweverneitherthePlanningandEnvironmentActnortheStatePlanningPolicyFrameworkexplicitlyrecognisesplanningforfood.Thiswould allow for far greater consideration tourbanfoodproductioninitiativesaspartofweighingupthenetcommunitybenefitofanydevelopmentandurbandesign.

4.2 COUNCIL’S ROLECouncilwilladvocateforstrongpolicydirection for incorporating urban food productionintoplanningdecisions.Thisincludesaspartofthe2014PlanningPolicyFrameworkReview.

TheReservoirStructurePlandemonstratesthatCouncilisalreadycommittedtoincludingprovisionforfoodgrowingopportunitiesintoitslocalplanningprocesses.Theplanwasdevelopedoverthreeyearsfrom2009–2012withconsiderableinputfromstakeholdersandthecommunity.Reservoir’sstronglinkstofoodproductionandthedesireforsustainablelocallivingwerekeythemesthatemerged.Thevisionofanew‘FoodPark’forthe‘CentralHeart’Precinctwhichproposestointegratecommunitygardensalongwith food trees and herb gardens therefore becameanimportantfeatureofthePlanandoneofanumberoffoodproductionrelatedactions.ThisworkhasbeeninformedbytheprinciplesofFoodSensitivePlanningandUrbanDesign.TheReservoirStructurePlanillustratesamodelwhichcanbeappliedtoother proposed structure plans and urban renewalprojectssuchastheNorthlandUrbanRenewalPrecinctandOakoverVillage.

Integrated Approach to Planning for Urban Food ProductionKEY

ACTION 4

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Councilwillalsoseekopportunitiestointegrate urban food production with water andwasterecyclinginitiatives.Councilisalreadydemonstratingthisatthehouseholdlevelbyprovidingresourcesandeducation on recycling water and food and garden waste throughwatertanks,compostingandwormfarmsaspartofasustainableapproachtogardening.TherearealsoopportunitiestousecommunityfoodgardensonCouncillandasdemonstrationsitesforlargerscaleintegration of food growing with rain water harvestingandefficientwateruse.Theycould also be a hub for food and organic waste recycling through neighbourhood compostingandwormfarmingschemes.

■■ Advocate to have urban food production recognised in the State Planning Policy Framework so it can be integrated in the Metropolitan Planning Strategy and VCAT decisions.

■■ Integrate relevant food production policy into the Darebin Planning Scheme (MSS) and local planning policies by referencing the Food Security Policy and Urban Food Production Strategy.

■■ Apply principles of Food Sensitive Planning and Urban Design to future Structure Plans and urban renewal projects such as the Northland Urban Renewal Precinct.

■■ Progress the food production elements as part of the implementation of the Reservoir Structure Plan, such as the ‘Food Park’ food growing project.

■■ Explore opportunities to develop urban food production sites on Council land as demonstration sites for integrated food growing, water and waste management.

■■ As part of the Food Security Policy review in 2014, ensure the vision, approach and actions of the Food Security Policy and Urban Food Production Strategy are aligned and integrated.

Actions

PHOTO BY MARA RIPANI


Implementation and Evaluation

Thisstrategywillbeimplementedthroughaseparateimplementationplanwhichspecifiespriorityareasandactions,timelines,resourcesrequiredandresponsibilitiesfordelivery.InputwillbesoughtfromresidentsandexpertstakeholdersatSustainableFoodLeadersforums,aswellasfromCouncilstafftodeveloptheplanbytheendof2014.Anongoingworkinggroupwillbeformedtoguidetheimplementationplanandensurethestrategycommitmentsaredelivered.DepartmentsacrossCouncilwillberesponsibleforimplementingparticularaspectsofthestrategy.

TheeffectivenessoftheUrbanFoodProductionStrategywillbeevaluatedby:

■■ achievingtheactionssetoutintheimplementationplanand,

■■ demonstratingthattheseactionshaveledtotheoutcomessoughtundertheVisionforthestrategy.

Performancemeasures/indicatorsforthestrategywillbedevelopedalongsideandwillbeincludedintheimplementationplan.

Peak Oil: TheInternationalEnergyAgencyhasreportedthatglobal(conventional)oilproductionpeakedin2006andthattheincreasingcost(energyandfinancial)ofoilextractionmeansthatwearepassingfroman era of abundant cheap energy to one of increasingly uncertain supply and rising costs as demandcontinuestorise.Theimpactonworldeconomiesandmarketswillbesignificant.

Food Security: Describedastheability ofindividuals,householdsandcommunitiestoobtainnutritious,affordable,culturallyacceptable and safe foods reliably without theneedtoresorttoemergencyrelief.Itisachievedwhenthereisadequatefoodavailable(foodsupply)andpeoplehavethenecessaryskillsandresourcestoacquireandusethatfood(foodaccess).

Local Food System: A‘foodsystem’consistsofthecomponentsandprocessesinvolvedinprovidingpeoplewithfood,includinggrowing,harvesting,processing,packaging,storage,distribution,consumptionanddisposal.Alocalorcommunitybasedfoodsystemisonein which these processes are integrated to enhancetheeconomic,environmentalandsocialhealthofaparticularplaceorlocation.

Sustainable Food: Foodgrown/producedanddistributedinamannerthatrespectsthelimitsofnaturalresources.Itisfoodwhichisbothbetterfortheenvironmentandbetterforpeople.Inanurbanlocalgovernmentcontext,sustainablefoodinvolveslocallygrownfoodandlocalfoodsystemswhicharebasedonprinciplesofenvironmentalstewardship,socialjusticeandcommunitydevelopment.

Ecological Footprint: Aholisticmeasure ofthetotalimpactofalifestyleexpressed inlandarea.Itincludesenergyconsumption,wateruse,greenhousegasemissions,biodiversityandotherimpacts.

Ecosystem: Anecosystemisadynamiccomplexofplant,animal,andmicroorganismcommunitiesandthenonlivingenvironment,interactingasafunctionalunit.Foodisoneofthemany‘services’ecosystemsprovide.

Glossary

36 CITY OF DAREBIN

Food Forest: Asmall-scale,intensivefoodproductionsystemconsistingoffruitandnuttrees with a layered understory of perennial grasses,plantsandwoodyshrubs.Allplantsworktogethertohelpstabiliseandrepairthesoilandkeepweedsout,reducingtheneed formaintenance.

City Farms: Largedemonstrationsiteswhicheducateresidents,businesses,schoolsaboutlivingsustainablyandcombattingclimatechange.Theyvaryin their set-up and operation but usually offerinteractiveeventsandcoursesonorganicgardening,urbananimalfarming,wastereductionandmanagement,andwaterandenergyconservation.

Roof Top Gardens / Farms: Rooftopfarmsinvolvecultivatingfoodontheroofofabuilding,andareaspecialisedformofwhatisoftenreferredtoasa‘greenroof’.Rooftopfarmingcansupplythebuildingoccupantsandlocalcommunitywithfreshproduceandpromotessmall-scalelocalagricultureas well as a tangible connection to the food source.Rooftopfarmingismostcommoninurbanareas,whereground-levelagriculturalopportunitiesarescarce.RoofTopFarmscan also absorb solar radiation reducing the ‘urbanheatislandeffect’,insulateandcoolthehostbuilding(reducingenergyuse),andmanagestormwaterbydelayingandreducingthehazardsofrainfallrunoff.

Community Food Enterprise: Organisation thatworksinpartnershipwithlocalresidents,familyfarmers/cityfarms,andcommunity-basedbusinessestoimprovethesocial(health,connectedness)andeconomicassetsofdisadvantagedcommunities.

Community Supported Agriculture: Asystemwhereconsumerspayinadvanceforaregularboxofvegetablesorotherfarmproductsfromafarmerdirectly.Consumerssharetherisksofproductionwithproducersformutuallybeneficialoutcomes-farmersareguaranteed that their crops will be purchased whileconsumersreceiveproduceoftenatadiscountedpricefromatrustworthysource.

Food Cooperative: A group of urban consumerswhoworktogethertosourceandbulkbuylocalproducewhichistypically organic or otherwise chosen based onenvironmentorsocialcredentials.

Direct Delivery Scheme: An organisation which sourcesfreshseasonalfruitsandvegetablesandothergroceries,typicallyorganic,fromlocalfarmersandartisansanddeliversthemdirect to households or designated suburban pick-uppoints.Theobjectiveistopayfarmersafairpriceaswellassupplyurbanconsumerswithcosteffectiveorganicproduce.

Farmers Markets: TheVictorianFarmers’MarketsAssociationdefinesanauthenticfarmers’marketasapredominantlylocalfreshfoodandproducemarketthatoperatesregularlyatapubliclocation.Itprovidesasuitableenvironmentforfarmersandfoodproducerstoselltheirfarmoriginproductandtheirassociatedvalueaddedprimaryproductsdirectlytocustomers.

Food and Labour Share Programs: Communityledprogramsbasedonthemutualexchangeoffreshfoodandlabourand which foster the sharing of food and communityconnections/networks.

Food Sensitive Planning and Urban Design18: AmanualdevelopedbytheVictorianEco-InnovationLab(VEIL)atMelbourneUniversityandtheAustralianHeartFoundationwhichprovidesprinciples,toolsandcasestudies to help incorporate local food provisionintoplanningandurbandesign.

Food Hubs: AustralianFoodHubsNetworkdescribe food hubs as centres which workdirectlywithfarmerstoassistinthemarketinganddistributionoftheirproducts,makingiteasierforlocalbusinessesandcommunitiestoaccessfreshlocalfood.


The following Council plans and policies directly supporturbanfoodproductioninDarebin:

■■ TheUrbanFoodProductionStrategydirectlysupportscommitmentsmadeintheCouncil Plan 2013 – 2017:

SustainableandResilientNeighbourhoodGoal:thelocalfoodproductionstrategycommitsto‘encourage and support local food production to improve health, amenity, food security and reduce environmental impacts’.

■■ The 2013 – 2017 Health and Well-Being Plan includestheobjective:

‘promote and embed health and wellbeing principles in all strategic planning and urban design policies’. A priority action to achievethisistocoordinateandadvocatefor the consideration and inclusion of publicopenspaceswithtrees,plantingsandprovisionforfoodgrowingaspartofnewhousingdevelopments.

Theplanalsoaimstopromotefoodsecurity,healthyeatingandsafefoodprovisionforallDarebinpeople.Thiswillbeachievedby:

– ContinuingtoimplementandmonitorDarebin’sFoodSecurityPolicyanddevelopanUrbanFoodProductionStrategy

– Leveragingfoodgrowing,preparationanddiversefoodculturestofacilitatecommunityconnectionsandunderstanding.

■■ The 2012 – 2020 GreenStreets Streetscape StrategyincludesKeyDirection4–UrbanFoodProduction:

Wherepossible,Councilwillincludeedibleplantsinpubliclandscapes,includingcommunitygardensandurbanorchards.

Councilwillprovideincreasedopportunitiesfor urban food production on public landthroughincreasedcommunitygardens and other opportunities to growedibleplantmaterialsinthemunicipality’sparksandresidentialstreets.Astrategyguidingthelocation,typeandproliferationofcommunitygardensshouldguidethisinitiative.

Actions:

– Createandimplementanurbanfood production strategy

– IncreasetheprevalenceofcommunitygardensintheCityofDarebin

– Createtheopportunityforonecommunitygardenonpubliclandeachyearuntil2020

■■ The 2010 – 2014 Food Security Policy:

Commitscounciltoplanningforbetteraccess to sustainable local food supplies by ‘encouraging urban food production i.e. incorporating communal food growing areas in new developments, private backyard gardens, and food growing in public spaces including Council owned land, crown land, neighbourhood houses and housing estates.’

AnotherFoodSecurityPolicygoalistoincreasecommunitycapacitytopracticegrowing food sustainably and share food growingknowledgeacrossgenerations andcultures.

Supporting Plans and PoliciesAPPENDIX 1

38 CITY OF DAREBIN

The consultation process for the four yearUrbanFoodProductionStrategyinvolvedbothopenconsultationaswellastargetedconsultationforums.Thisincludedresidents,expertstakeholdersandCouncilstaff,recognisingtheexistingwealth of experience in this area within the community.Theoutcomesofthesemanysessionsweredocumented,analysedandincorporatedintothefinalstrategy.

Targeted Stakeholder Consultation Dec 2013 – July 2014

TheSustainableFoodLeadersnetworkconsistsofcommunitygroupsandresidentsinterestedinand/orinvolvedinsustainablelocalfoodsystemsinDarebin.ThethemesemergingfromSustainableFoodLeadersforumsheldsince2010haveinformedthevisionandkeyactionareasinthisstrategy.InDecember2013,forumparticipantsprovidedinputontheStrategy’sscope,objectivesandactionareas.Feedbackonthe draft Strategy was obtained through focusgroupdiscussionsattheJune2014SustainableFoodLeadersforum.

Internal Consultation April – May 2014

ThefollowinginternalCouncilteamsandofficersprovidedinputtothedraftStrategy:

■■ CoordinatorPublicRealm

■■ ManagerAssetsandProperty

■■ Coordinator Strategic Planning

■■ Principal Strategic Planner

■■ Coordinator Statutory Planning

■■ SeniorPlanningInvestigationOfficer

■■ CoordinatorBusinessDevelopment

■■ ManagerParksandVegetation

■■ SeniorLocalLawsInvestigationOfficer

■■ TeamLeaderCommunityHealthandWellbeing

■■ CommunityPlanner

■■ CoordinatorCoopersSettlement

■■ CoordinatorEnvironmentalStrategy

■■ Coordinator Water and Waste Strategy

■■ CoordinatorSustainableCommunities

■■ StrategicRiskandInsuranceAdvisor

■■ AboriginalAffairsOfficer

■■ CoordinatorProcurementandContracting

External Consultation May – July 2014

ThefollowingCounciladvisorycommittees,referencegroupsandcommunitygroups wereconsultedtodevelopthecontentof thedraftStrategy:

■■ DarebinEnvironmentalReferenceGroup(DERG)

■■ DarebinEthnicCommunitiesCouncil(DECC)

■■ DarebinDisabilityAdvisoryCommittee

■■ DarebinActiveandHealthyAgingBoard

■■ DarebinWomen’sAdvisoryCommittee

■■ DarebinHealthSteeringCommittee

■■ DarebinSexuality,SexandGenderDiversityAdvisoryCommittee

■■ DarebinAboriginalAdvisoryCommittee

■■ LocalCommunityGroupsandNeighbourhoodHouses

ThedraftStrategywasmadeavailableonline.ThegeneralcommunityandSustainabilityNewsSubscriberswereinvitedtocommentover4weeksinJune/July2014.InadditionafacilitatedpublicconsultationsessionwasheldonJuly2nd,2014.

Consultation ProcessAPPENDIX 2


ThefollowinglinkistotheDarebinFoodGardensmapwhichshowsexistingandpotentialsitesidentifiedinconsultationwithinternalCouncildepartmentsandthecommunity.

www.darebinfoodharvestnetwork.org.au/darebin-community-food-garden-map

FOOTNOTES1 LoughnanME,TapperNJ,PhanT,LynchK,

McInnesJA2013,AspecialvulnerabilityanalysisofurbanpopulationsduringextremeheateventsinAustraliancapitalcities,NationalClimateChangeAdaptationResearchFacility,GoldCoast.

2 www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/food-news/cafes-new-sources-have-rich-local-flavour-20130531-2nhed.html

3 EconomicAssessmentoftheUrbanHeatIslandEffect;commissionedbytheCityofMelbourne2012.Urbanisationhasradicallytransformedenvironmentsfromnativevegetationorfarmlandtolargelybuilt-upareas.Thethermalstoragecapacityandthethermalprofileofurbanareasarenowdramaticallydifferentfromadjacentnon-urbanareas.ThisisknownastheUrbanHeatIsland(UHI)effect.LocalandinternationalstudieshavefoundthattheUHIeffectcanaddbetween1°Cto6°Ctotheambientairtemperature.

4 NordahlD2009,PublicProduce:TheNewUrbanAgriculture.Anestimated10caloriesinenergyfromfossilfuelisrequiredtoproducejustonecalorieoffoodintheUSA.SimilarconversionratesapplyinotherdevelopedcountriessuchasAustralia.

5 Victoria’sEcologicalFootprintwww.epa.vic.gov.au/~/media/Publications/1267.pdf,2008

6 VictorianFoodSupplyScenarios:ImpactsonAvailabilityofaNutritiousDiet.KLarsen,DrGTurner,ProfCRyan,ProfMLawrence,2011

7 DepartmentofAgricultureFisheriesandForestrywww.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/food

8 VictorianEco-InnovationLab(VEIL)2008,SustainableandSecureFoodSystemsforVictoria:Whatdoweknow?Whatdoweneedtoknow?Agriculture has been calculated to account for atleast23%ofAustralia’sgreenhouseemissions,andupto30%whenthehigherwarmingpotentialofmethaneisaccountedfor.Theemissionsfromdownstreamstagesinthefoodsupplychain(processing,distribution,packaging,storage,waste)addsignificantlytothisfigure.

9 VictorianEco-InnovationLab(VEIL)2008,SustainableandSecureFoodSystemsforVictoria:Whatdoweknow?Whatdoweneedtoknow?Conventionalagriculturehas

beenlinkedtosoildegradationandlossandreducedsoilbiodiversityleadingtoalossofarableland.Overfishinghasledtodepletionofstocksanddamagetomarineecosystems.

10 Robertson,M2007,AgriculturalproductivityinAustraliaandNewZealand:trends,constraintsandopportunities.www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2010/plenary/climate-change/7402_robertsonmj.htm

11 DonovanJ,LarsenKandMcWhinnieJ2011,Food-sensitiveplanningandurbandesign:Aconceptualframeworkforachievingasustainableandhealthyfoodsystem.Melbourne:ReportcommissionedbytheNationalHeartFoundationofAustralia(VictorianDivision).www.heartfoundation.org.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/Food-sensitive-planning-urban-design-full-report.pdf

12 TheWorldBank2013,UrbanPopulation(%ofTotal)

13 TheAustralianInstitute2014,GrowYourOwn–ThePotentialValueandImpactsofResidentialandCommunityFoodGardening.



16 TheAustralianInstitute2014,GrowYourOwn– ThePotentialValueandImpactsofResidential andCommunityFoodGardening.Homefoodgardenersreportconsumingagreatervariety,volumeandfrequencyoffreshfoodaswellasincreasedcookingandpreservingknowledge. The exercise and stress relief associated with gardeningisalsoakeymotivator.

17 AustralianHoneyBeeIndustryCouncil: www.honeybee.org.au/pdf/PollinationAwareFactSheet.pdf

18 DonovanJ,LarsenKandMcWhinnieJ2011,Food-sensitiveplanningandurbandesign:Aconceptualframeworkforachievingasustainableandhealthyfoodsystem.Melbourne:ReportcommissionedbytheNationalHeartFoundationofAustralia(VictorianDivision).www.heartfoundation.org.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/Food-sensitive-planning-urban-design-full-report.pdf

Darebin Food Gardens MapAPPENDIX 3

40 CITY OF DAREBIN

274 Gower Street, PrestonPO Box 91, Preston, Vic 3072T 8470 8888 F 8470 8877E [email protected]

CITY OFDAREBIN

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