(VIC) Include Health and Food Security as Objectives of the Planning Framework

Jacinda Dixon-Rielly & Jan Piechowski-Jozwiak
12 hours ago
7 min read

Author: Jacinda Dixon-Rielly & Jan Piechowski-Jozwiak | Publish date: 6/4/2026

P: In VIC, responsible authorities cannot reject on the grounds of health and food security concerns when assessing developments.
S: The VIC Minister for Planning should amend Section 4(1) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (VIC) to include health and food security as objectives of the planning framework.

Problem Identification:

Section 4(1) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (VIC) states the objectives of the planning framework that need to be considered by ‘the responsible authority’ when planning, such as the protection of natural resources and conservation of heritage areas. However, health and food security are not included as objectives.

Thus, it is known that development proposals cannot be rejected on the grounds of health and food security concerns. According to the Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee (LSIC) report Food security in Victoria (2024), this means that local governments and communities have less control to be able to ‘lead tailored food security efforts.’ VicHealth stated that despite the Act including ‘economic and environmental objectives, the protection and promotion of health and wellbeing is notably absent.’

Context:

A planning permit refers to ‘a legal document that allows a certain use or development to proceed on a specified parcel of land.’ As stated in the VIC Planning Guide, ‘in most cases the council is the responsible authority’, meaning they are ‘in charge of administering the planning scheme, including granting [or denying] permits’.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics defined a household's food security status ‘based on whether one or more members of the household had enough food, or money to buy the food, needed for an active, healthy life at all times in the last 12 months.’

Arguments:

According to the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), the omission of health and food security as objectives in the Act presents a ‘significant impact on Australians’ access to affordable and high-quality local food’. The Heart Foundation noted that ‘local governments have limited authority to regulate the distribution of fast-food outlets and convenience stores.’ According to VicHealth, fast-food outlets have ‘rapidly outpaced the expansion of healthy food outlets to reach a ratio as high as 9:1.’ The National Obesity Strategy 2022–2032 stated that these ‘planning decisions have led to local concentration of fast food outlets and convenience stores, which are linked with higher obesity rates.’ Barry et al. (2025), leaders at Birmingham City University (UK), highlighted that ‘land‐use planning is often used as a mechanism to promote health … [by] managing the location and number of unhealthy food outlets.’ VFF’s President emphasised that ‘these issues have been exacerbated by failures in Victoria’s planning system which sees agriculture sidelined in planning decisions despite its fundamental role in providing food security’.

In their 2024 submission, VicHealth stressed ‘Victoria’s current planning system does not adequately empower councils … to make planning decisions that reflect their recognised role in promoting the health and wellbeing of their communities.’ They argued, ‘this [is a] significant blind spot in Victoria’s planning architecture.’ For example, as reported by VicHealth, the Mansfield Shire Council voted unanimously to refuse planning permission for a convenience store due to ‘significant community concern about the proposal, with the council receiving 261 objections.’ The Council and concerned residents disputed the development due to ‘the [negative] health effects of food sold from convenience restaurants’, especially due to its close proximity to a local primary school. VicHealth concluded, ‘local councils are expected to play a key role in influencing better health outcomes but have little leverage to achieve this through local planning instruments.’

Advice/Solution Identification:

The LSIC called to include health and food security as objectives for planning permits. The report said this could allow ‘local communities to address food insecurity in a way that is tailored to their specific needs’ and ‘empowers local communities to take an active role in shaping solutions’. VicHealth has further stated that including health as an objective could ‘control the placement’ and the ‘high concentration of unhealthy food outlets.’

Precedent:

There is a domestic and international precedent for prioritising health and food security in planning frameworks. In QLD, the State Planning Policy includes a specific state interest for agriculture, so that it is ‘protected to support the long-term viability and growth of the agricultural sector.’ This aims to ensure the state’s long-term food security. In England, ‘land use classifications are assigned at a more detailed level, … which allows local authorities to refuse applications for new developments that fall under [these categories]’, such as ‘Hot Food’.

Public Support:

VicHealth
Sustain Australia
LSIC
Keep Mansfield Healthy
Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF)

This list reflects publicly stated positions and should not necessarily be taken as endorsement of this specific brief.

News Coverage:

ABC News - “Plan for 24-hour McDonald's near primary school rejected by Bendigo council”. The article reported that the City of Greater Bendigo council rejected a proposed 24‑hour McDonald’s near a primary school amid community concerns about children’s health and safety. By: Sarah Lawrence, Fiona Parker and Rebecca Norman | Tues 18 November 2025 - Read the article here.
ABC Radio Melbourne - “'No Fry Zones': Should we have buffer zones for fast food near schools?”. The segment reported that parents at a Victorian primary school opposed a proposed McDonald’s less than 100 metres from classrooms. By: Rafael Epstein | Mon 15 September 2025. Listen to the segment here.
Mansfield Courier - “Mansfield 1, McDonald's 0”. A report on a proposed McDonald’s-style convenience restaurant in Mansfield, whose prospects diminished after Mansfield Shire Council won three VCAT matters. By: NEM Author | Wed 19 August 2020 - Read the article here.
The Age - “Fast-food outlets already have the suburbs in a tight grip. Now they’ve got a new target”. The article discussed the increase in multinational fast food outlets and the areas of development they target. By: Benjamin Preiss and Henrietta Cook | Tues 2 September 2025 - Read the article here.
Sustain: The Australian Food Network - “Underwhelming and disappointing: Victorian Government food system inquiries responses”. The article found that the VIC Government’s responses to 2024 food system inquiries largely repeated existing actions and offered minor planning changes. By: Dr Nick Rose | Thurs 7 August 2025 - Read the article here.

Where to go to learn more:

Inquiry into food security in Victoria | Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee - The inquiry examined causes and impacts of food insecurity in VIC and reported recommendations, like including health and food security as objectives of planning. View the inquiry here.
Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) submission on a new plan for Victoria | VicHealth - This submission outlined the barriers that the current VIC planning framework poses to health and recommended that health be included as a planning objective. View the submission here.
Submission to the Inquiry into food security in Victoria | Victorian Farmers Federation - This submission outlined challenges to food security in VIC and proposed policy and planning reforms, such as including food security as a planning objective. View the submission here.
Food retail environments around rural Victorian primary schools: Associations with student diet and weight outcomes | Jacob et al. - This article discussed the association between fast food outlets’ proximity to schools and students’ diets and weight outcomes. View the article here.
Study maps stark inequalities in access to healthy food options across Victoria | University of Melbourne, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences - This article outlined that middle-income suburbs and regional communities are the most underserved in terms of access to healthy food options, leading to calls for a statewide registry of food outlets. View the report here.

Human Perspective:

Case study reported by Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) submission on a new plan for Victoria 2024

‘In early 2013, the Yarra Ranges Shire Council refused planning permission for a new McDonald’s outlet in Tecoma in Melbourne’s east. The council acted consistently with the sentiment of the local community, having received 1,300 objections from local residents in opposition to the development, on grounds including the health implications of a fast-food outlet in the immediate vicinity of a primary school and childcare centre. McDonald’s sought review in the VCAT1, which applied the regulations, considering the local planning scheme and the Planning and Environment Act and noting that concerns about the health impacts of a fast- food outlet were not relevant considerations under the regulations. The council’s refusal was overturned, resulting in a prolonged and disruptive campaign of community activism at the site.’

To protect the anonymity of those involved, this is a fictionalised account drawn from an amalgamation of real-life stories, experiences and testimonials gathered during the research process for this brief. Any resemblance to actual individuals is purely coincidental.

Conflict of interest/acknowledgment statement:

N/A

Support

If your organisation would like to add your support to this paper or suggest amendments, please email Info@foreaustralia.com.

Disclaimers

Please review all FORE disclaimers here.

Reference list:

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2025, September 5). Food insecurity. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/food-and-nutrition/food-insecurity/latest-release

Barry, V., Carter, C., Larkham, P., & Adams, D. (2025). Challenges and opportunities in collaborative cross-sectoral (healthy) urban food environment planning. Urban Planning, 10. https://doi.org/10.17645/up.10653

Commonwealth of Australia. (2022). National obesity strategy 2022–2032: Enabling Australians to eat well and be active. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/03/national-obesity-strategy-2022-2032_0.pdf

Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning. (2017). State planning policy. Queensland Government. https://dsdmipprd.blob.core.windows.net/general/spp-july-2017.pdf

Department of Transport and Planning. (2025, November 26). Chapter 3: Planning permits. Victorian Government. https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/guides-and-resources/guides/guide-to-victorias-planning-system/planning-permits

Latrobe City Council. (n.d.). VCAT appeal process. https://www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/Property/Planning/Post_Permit/VCAT_Appeal_Process

Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee. (2024). Inquiry into food security in Victoria. Parliament of Victoria. https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/4a2024/contentassets/a367373389984ce39dceea0c6f74af54/lclsic-60-04-inquiry-into-food-security-in-victoria.pdf

Mansfield Shire Council. (2020). Outline of submissions of the objector [Submission to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal]. https://drive.google.com/file/d/19InF8Xanm8KPg1f5tQxtHv-29bPmopaZ/view#page=13

National Heart Foundation of Australia. (2025, March). Shaping healthier food environments – Part 2. https://www.healthyactivebydesign.com.au/habd-news/shaping-healthy-food-environments---part-2

140 High Street Pty Ltd v Mansfield SC (2021). VCAT 291. https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/vic/VCAT/2021/291.html

Planning and Environment Act 1987 (VIC). https://content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-11/87-45aa163-authorised.pdf#page=48

Victorian Farmers Federation. (2024). Submission to the inquiry into food security in Victoria. https://www.vff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/VFF-Submission-to-the-Inquiry-into-food-security-in-Victoria-1.pdf

Victorian Health Promotion Foundation. (2024). Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) submission on a new plan for Victoria. https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-05/VicHealth%20submission%20on%20the%20Plan%20for%20Victoria_0.pdf