NSW Higher Fines for Ignoring Council Orders and New Utility Powers for Places of Worship

Local Government and Other Legislation Amendment (Places of Public Worship) Bill 2026

26 May 2026: Passed by Parliament and signed off by the governor.

This bill kicks in: TBA

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

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Topics

development control local government places of public worship urban planning utility services

Introduced by: The Hon Ron Hoenig MP (ALP); The Hon Tara Moriarty MLC (ALP)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Official page: bill text and explanatory notes

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

The maximum fine for failing to comply with a council order about how premises are used is increased to 10,000 for an individual or 20,000 for a corporation (1,000 and 2,000 penalty units (2026: $220,000) respectively).
Places of public worship become subject to utilities orders under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, meaning they can be required to provide or upgrade utilities infrastructure (water, electricity, sewerage, etc.) as a condition of development approval.
The maximum penalty for failing to comply with certain planning orders under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act is also increased.

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Cate Faehrmann GRN

“I will finish my contribution there.”

Official source →

Rose Jackson ALP

“Chris Rath, Ms Sue Higginson, the Hon. Tania Mihailuk and Ms Cate Faehrmann. I will respond to some of the issues that were raised in the debate. The Government has been clear from the start in saying that social cohesion and community safety are and remain key responsibilities for all levels of government. This bill should not be seen in isolation.”

Official source →

News articles and press releases

Local Government and Other Legislation Amendment (Places of Public Worship) Bill 2026

Mr RON HOENIG, Minister for Local Government — 2026-02-03

The bill contains measures to enable local councils to apply to the Land and Environment Court for orders directing utility providers of water, gas and electricity to cut off services to premises being used as a place of public worship if they fail to comply with a stop use order, effectively shutting them down; increases the maximum penalty available for a person’s failure to comply with a stop use order issued under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act from $3,000 to $6,000 in the case of an individual and from $6,000 to $12,000 in the case of a corporation; and increases the maximum penalty for a person’s failure to comply with certain public safety orders available under the Local Government Act 1993 from $11,000 to $110,000 for individuals and $22,000 to $220,000 for corporations.