The NSW Government will today introduce legislation aimed at strengthening councils’ powers to shut down unlawful places of public worship that are used to promote hate, intimidation and division.
The Local Government and Other Legislation Amendment (Places of Public Worship) Bill 2026 is framed as a direct response to recent community safety concerns, including the antisemitic terror attack in Bondi on 14 December. The bill proposes tougher penalties and broader enforcement options for councils dealing with venues operating outside planning laws or ignoring orders to cease activities.
Under the changes, councils will be able to issue development control orders to stop activities on premises that breach planning rules or pose risks to public health and safety. Penalty notice fines would double to $6,000 for individuals and $12,000 for corporations, while maximum penalties for failing to comply with orders would rise sharply to $110,000 for individuals and $220,000 for corporations.
Under the changes, councils will be able to issue development control orders to stop activities on premises that breach planning rules or pose risks to public health and safety
The legislation would also allow councils to seek orders from the Land and Environment Court directing utility providers to cut off water, electricity and gas to venues that continue operating unlawfully after being ordered to stop.
Premier Chris Minns said the reforms were designed to give councils practical authority to act. “These reforms give councils another practical tool to stop unlawful premises being used to spread hate and intimidation,” he said. “If a place of worship is operating outside the law and dividing the community, councils will now have real power to shut it down.”
The bill also introduces planning changes that would require councils to consult NSW Police on community safety matters before approving development applications for new places of public worship, including proposals to change the use of existing sites.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully described the measures as a targeted intervention. “There’s no place for factories of hate in NSW,” he said. “These changes are a practical step the Minns Labor Government are taking to stop hate preachers in their tracks. By strengthening enforcement powers and giving NSW Police visibility of development applications for places of public worship we are taking additional steps to keep our communities safe.”
The government says the bill builds on earlier measures introduced to combat hate, including new offences for inciting racial hatred, restrictions on displaying Nazi symbols at Jewish sites and added protections for people attending places of worship.
Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said the legislation draws a clear line between lawful religious practice and unlawful activity. “All sectors of the NSW government are working together to implement and enforce these changes which will safeguard and protect our communities,” he said. “Freedom of religion is a fundamental right in NSW but that freedom does not extend to operating unlawfully or putting community safety at risk and this legislation will make sure councils have strong powers to shut down unlawful places of public worship manifesting hate.”
The bill is expected to be debated in Parliament in coming days as the government presses ahead with its broader agenda to address hate and community intimidation across the state.
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