Upgrade for Opera House

Sydney’s iconic Opera House is about to receive a much-needed upgrade.

The State Government recently announced that $152 million will be spent upgrading the building and improving safety and security, with work to commence early next year.

Premier Kristina Keneally said the upgrade was all about securing the building’s future.

“It is unquestionably the most significant building of the 20th century – and we are going to keep it that way,” she said.

“This upgrade will revitalise the Sydney Opera House – visitors and tourists will be able to experience the precinct surrounds freely, safely and with an unobstructed view of the World Heritage-listed icon.”

The Sydney Opera House attracts more than 7.4 million visitors a year, contributing more than $1 billion to the Australian economy through tourism, hospitality, travel and other activity while supporting over 12,000 jobs.

The planned works will include a new truck tunnel from Macquarie Street to remove trucks from the forecourt, a new platform lift in the Opera Theatre dock and rerouting of the Bennelong Stormwater Drain.

“Removing heavy vehicles from the pedestrian area will also extend the life of the Northern Boardwalk structures by up to 30 years thereby avoiding costly structural repairs in the short term,” Ms Keneally said.

But the much-loved icon could have more serious issues that this facelift won’t fix.

A Daily Telegraph article on May 31 said $800 million is needed to replace outdated stage equipment which is “putting performers’ lives at risk.”

It also said the Opera House was in “severe financial straits.”