Community Safety & Risk Management

Community Orchards and Community Food Forests should be planned and managed with public safety, environmental protection and responsible stewardship as fundamental considerations. The objective of risk management is not to eliminate reasonable community use but to minimise foreseeable risks through appropriate planning, monitoring, governance and community education.

Risk Management Principles

Public Safety

Landscape design, access, pathways, harvesting areas and public use should minimise reasonably foreseeable safety risks.

Food Safety

Produce intended for community use should be supported by appropriate public information, responsible harvesting practices and locally applicable food safety requirements.

Environmental Protection

Species selection, landscape management and stewardship should minimise unacceptable environmental impacts while supporting biodiversity.

Monitoring

Community landscapes should be monitored sufficiently to identify significant maintenance issues, vandalism, contamination or other matters affecting public safety or environmental integrity.

Governance

Clear stewardship arrangements should identify responsibilities for routine inspection, maintenance and reporting.

Continuous Improvement

Risk management practices should evolve in response to practical experience, scientific knowledge and changing community needs.

Risk Management Philosophy

The National Community Landscape Framework recognises that all public infrastructure carries some level of risk. The objective is therefore responsible management rather than risk avoidance. Appropriate planning, stewardship, education and governance provide the foundation for creating safe, resilient and sustainable Community Landscapes.

Effective risk management strengthens public confidence while protecting both communities and the long-term integrity of Community Orchards and Community Food Forests.

Standard

Community Orchards and Community Food Forests should incorporate appropriate risk management practices that support public safety, environmental stewardship, responsible governance and long-term community confidence.

Framework Documents

The following documents collectively support the National Community Landscape Framework. While each document may be read independently, together they provide a comprehensive framework for strengthening healthier, greener and more resilient communities.