The NSW Government is making it easier for places of public worship to install security measures such as bollards, fencing, lighting, security cameras, safety glass and reinforced doors.
The changes mean that places of public worship, including churches, mosques, temples and synagogues, no longer require a development application (DA) for most security upgrades, where the upgrades meet certain development standards.
All people of NSW have the right to come together safely to profess, practice and maintain their faith and religious heritage. NSW Government recognises that prompt security upgrades may be required to improve public safety and provide peace of mind for faith communities.
What are the changes?
What are the changes?
The changes apply to all places of public worship that meet the relevant requirements. In NSW, places of public worship are buildings or places used for the purpose of religious worship by a congregation or religious group.
The exempt development captures common security measures including:
- Bollards
- Fencing
- Lighting
- Security cameras
- Safety glass
- Reinforced doors.
What requirements apply for security measures for places of public worship?
What requirements apply for security measures for places of public worship?
For a proposed development to be exempt, it must comply with certain general requirements, such as:
- meeting the relevant Building Code of Australia standards or being structurally adequate
- being installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications
- not involving tree/vegetation removal that requires a permit, approval or development consent, unless that approval has been provided.
More details on the planning pathways available for places of public worship identified as heritage items is outlined below.
Development standards – security measures for places of public worship
Security measures for places of public worship must:
- be associated with a place of public worship and be contained entirely within the lot
- be at least 450mm from each lot boundary (other than a boundary with a road)
- be connected in accordance with a professional engineer’s specifications, if the security measure is proposed to be connected to a fascia
- be constructed of non-combustible material, if the land is bush fire prone
- be constructed so it can be removed without irreversibly damaging the building, if the place of public worship is a heritage item
- not affect any existing fire resisting components or evacuation routes
- not be used for advertising.
Can a place of worship install security measures not covered by the exempt pathway?
Can a place of worship install security measures not covered by the exempt pathway?
Security measures not covered by the exempt pathway, or that do not comply with the listed development standards, could still be installed on places of public worship. These would be subject to a development application (DA) process, including a merit assessment by council.
Can places of public worship with identified heritage values install security measures as exempt development?
Can places of public worship with identified heritage values install security measures as exempt development?
Security measures can be installed on places of public worship listed as heritage items, as long as they are installed or constructed so they can be removed without irreversibly damaging the building.
State Heritage Register items
Exempt development generally cannot be carried out on land containing an item listed on the State Heritage Register under the Heritage Act 1977, or that is subject to an interim heritage order under that Act.
However, if exemption from the Minister for Heritage is obtained, the development can be undertaken as exempt development, provided it meets all other requirements for exempt development.
Where an exemption does not apply, applicants will need to make a development application to obtain planning approval for the security measures. Additional approval may also be required under the Heritage Act.
Where can I find the relevant legislation?
Where can I find the relevant legislation?
Changes were made to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (the Codes SEPP), adding Subdivision 35A Security measures for places of public worship.
The provisions are available here on the NSW Legislation website.
Further information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1300 305 695
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