The NSW government has passed legislation giving councils stronger powers to shut down illegal places of worship, including the ability to seek court orders to cut off water, electricity and gas to non-compliant venues.
The Minns government said the Local Government and Other Legislation Amendment (Places of Public Worship) Bill 2026 was introduced in response to the antisemitic terror attack in Bondi on December 14 and was designed to strengthen community safety.
The bill passed NSW Parliament despite attempts by the Liberals and Nationals to delay it in the Legislative Council, according to the government.
Under the new laws, councils will be able to issue development control orders to stop unlawful activities where venues breach planning rules or create risks to public health and safety.
Penalty notice fines will double from $3,000 to $6,000 for individuals and from $6,000 to $12,000 for corporations.
Maximum penalties for failing to comply with orders will also rise sharply, increasing from $11,000 to $110,000 for individuals and from $22,000 to $220,000 for corporations.
In serious cases, councils will be able to apply to the Land and Environment Court for orders requiring utility providers to disconnect services to venues that continue operating unlawfully despite directions to stop.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said the laws were aimed at venues operating outside planning rules and putting public safety at risk.
“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,” Mr Scully said.
The government has also amended planning rules requiring councils to consult the NSW Police Commissioner on community safety and crime prevention before approving applications for new places of public worship or changes to the use of existing ones.
Those changes, made through the Planning System SEPP, came into effect at the end of April.
“Recent planning changes have also put public safety first, mandating consultation with NSW police before approving development applications for new places of public worship,” Mr Scully said.
“These strengthened enforcement powers and mandatory consultation with NSW Police are practical steps to keep communities safe.”
The government said the reforms build on earlier laws passed to combat hate, including offences for inciting racial hatred, bans on displaying Nazi symbols at Jewish places, and stronger protections for people attending places of worship.
Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig said freedom of religion remained protected, but places of worship had to comply with the law.
“Freedom of religion is a fundamental part of life in New South Wales, and it must always be protected,” Mr Hoenig said.
“But it doesn’t provide a licence for hate speech, unlawful conduct, or behaviour that puts the community at risk.”
Mr Hoenig said the reforms were not about targeting religion, but about ensuring councils had the power to act when venues ignored planning rules.
“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,” he said.
“These changes give councils clear authority to act where those rules are ignored, particularly where there are risks to safety or community cohesion.”
The legislation gives councils a larger enforcement role at a time when governments are under pressure to respond to rising concerns about hate, extremism and community division.
Mr Hoenig said the changes were intended to give local authorities clear and practical powers.
“This is about upholding the law in a measured and practical way, and making sure local communities are protected,” he said.
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