New laws to shut down illegal places of worship
'If a place of worship is operating outside the law and dividing the community, councils now have the tools to shut it down'
Legislation giving councils stronger powers to shut down unlawful places of public worship has passed the NSW Parliament.
The Local Government and Other Legislation Amendment (Places of Public Worship) Bill 2026 is part of measures announced in January in response to the December 14 Bondi terror attack, 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.
It doubles penalty notice fines from $3000 to $6000 for individuals and from $6000 to $12,000 for corporations.
Councils will be able to apply to the Land and Environment Court for orders directing utility providers to cut off services to non-compliant venues.
Maximum penalties for failure to comply increase 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 the 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.
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.”
“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.”
When announcing the measures in January, Premier Chris Minns said the reform was aimed squarely at shutting down “factories of hate” – places that operate unlawfully while promoting hatred, intimidation or division within the community.
Alleged Bondi terrorist Naveed Akram was a follower of radical jihadist preacher Wissam Haddad, who indoctrinated young people through the Al Madina Dawah centre.
“There is no place in NSW for hate, intimidation or extremism masquerading as community activity. These reforms give councils real powers to act when premises are operating unlawfully and spreading division,” Minns said in January.
“If operators ignore the law and refuse to shut down, councils will be able to cut off utilities and close them for good. This is about protecting social cohesion, keeping communities safe and upholding the values that unite us as Australians.”
The Bondi Beach terror attack on December 14 killed 15 people during a Chanukah celebration.