Challenge The confluence of urbanisation and globalisation has prompted urban food problems to increasingly manifest in urban areas around the globe, including Australia. Research shows that Australia is not immune to these identified urban food problems, ranging from urban food insecurity, urban epidemics, food-centred social injustice, food economy’s negative externalities to ecological imbalance. Globally, many countries have developed numerous plans and strategies and established urban food councils to address these urban food problems. Development of urban food policy in Australia, however, is still nascent. This invites research on exploring what food-related policies are available in the Australian urban context, if any, to what extent and address what food problems. In addition, the research will explore any opportunities and barriers that may facilitate and/or hinder the development of urban food policies.
Solution Development of urban food policy framework and recommendations in Australia. The research looked at what food-related policies are available in the Australian urban context, if any, and to what extent they address what food problems exist. In addition, exploring opportunities and barriers that facilitate and/or hinder the development of urban food policies. Qualitative analysis on policy review, online survey questionnaires (1500 participants) and interviewing the policy makers were performed to investigate food related policies and analyse the implications they may present.
Impact A report was developed that outlined pragmatic policy analysis and methodology that is applicable to other policies. Recommendations outlined why urban food planning is needed in Australia; and how to develop urban food planning policy in Australia.
