The Minns Labor Government's legislation to strengthen councils' powers to shut down unlawful places of public worship has passed the NSW Parliament despite attempts by the Liberals and Nationals to delay the bill in the Legislative Council.
The Local Government and Other Legislation Amendment (Places of Public Worship) Bill 2026 delivers on measures announced in response to the antisemitic terror attack in Bondi on 14 December and provides councils with stronger enforcement tools to protect community safety.
The reforms bolster existing powers by significantly increasing fines for illegal places of public worship and enabling councils, in serious cases, to seek orders to cut off water, electricity and gas where venues breach planning laws and ignore directions to cease operating.
The legislation:
- Allows councils to issue development control orders to stop unlawful activities that breach planning laws or pose risks to public health and safety.
- Doubles penalty notice fines from $3,000 to $6,000 for individuals and from $6,000 to $12,000 for corporations.
- Enables councils to apply to the Land and Environment Court for orders directing utility providers to cut off services to non-compliant venues.
- Increases maximum penalties for failure to comply from $11,000 to $110,000 for individuals and from $22,000 to $220,000 for corporations.
The changes have been complemented by amendments to the Planning System SEPP which came into effect at the end of April requiring councils to consult with NSW Police Commissioner on community safety matters and the prevention of crime before approving development applications for new places of public worship, or changes to the use of existing ones.
These reforms build on previous legislation passed by the Minns Labor Government to combat hate, including new offences for inciting racial hatred, banning the display of Nazi symbols at Jewish places, and strengthening protections for people attending their place of worship.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
"There is no place for hate in NSW. If a place of worship is operating outside the law and dividing the community, councils now have the tools to shut it down.
"Recent planning changes have also put public safety first, mandating consultation with NSW police before approving development applications for new places of public worship.
"These strengthened enforcement powers and mandatory consultation with NSW Police are practical steps to keep communities safe."
Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:
"Freedom of religion is a fundamental part of life in New South Wales, and it must always be protected. But it doesn't provide a licence for hate speech, unlawful conduct, or behaviour that puts the community at risk.
"No one is above the law. Places of worship, like any other premises, must operate within the planning rules that exist to keep communities safe.
"These changes give councils clear authority to act where those rules are ignored, particularly where there are risks to safety or community cohesion.
"This is about upholding the law in a measured and practical way, and making sure local communities are protected."
