Proposed Handrails For Opera House’s Monumental Steps Spark Debate On Accessibility And Preservation 

A plan proposed by the Sydney Opera House to install handrails on its Monumental Steps has ignited a debate the best practice for balancing preservation of historical, heritage-listed sites while ensuring they meet modern accessibility and construction standards.

Earlier this month on December 2nd, the Opera House’s plan was taken to the Heritage Council of NSW with the proposal to add handrails in the middle of the iconic Steps to ensure more universal access to the Sydney landmark, originally designed by Jørn Utzon.

However, the motion was shut down by the Heritage Council, due to the fact that the Monumental Steps and Opera House in general are of exceptional significance – the highest rating that an entry in the heritage listing can receive.

The Council has instead suggested that further statistical data about the Monumental Steps should be gathered, such as information about visitors and patrons who visit the site. It was also suggested that other nonintrusive options should be explored before the handrails are trialled or implemented.

Variety of opinions on Monumental Steps handrails 

The decision by the Heritage Council has prompted a wide variety of opinions on if the Steps should have these new rails implemented.

Amy Whalley, the CEO of Australian Disability Network, championed the proposal for new handrails: “A universal design is a win for everybody. We have seen it used all over the world to make changes at other significant heritage sites, it gives access to far more people while still maintaining the heritage value of the place.”

Meanwhile, architect Andrew Andersons placed himself firmly against the changes, telling the Sydney Morning Herald that installing handrails would be “a complete contradiction” of Utzon’s original design.

“When you think of other landmarks around the world – the Helsinki Cathedral, the Spanish Steps in Rome – they don’t have handrails. Why does the Opera House need them?” he said. “I think it’s just another manifestation of Australia becoming a nanny state and part of our ideological problem of tinkering with everything in the name of ticking some sort of box.”

The debate speaks to the difficulties of maintaining heritage-listed, iconic buildings while also ensuring that they’re widely accessible. Plans to add a bicycle path to the Harbour Bridge were met with derision by locals when the plans were revealed, while other communities argue their historical areas desperately need an upgrade, such as in Newtown or for the Glebe Island Bridge.