The Sydney Opera House will be getting louder for longer as the NSW Government puts neighbouring residents on notice about noise complaints.
The specific changes are among more general ones that were announced to boost Sydney’s night and entertainment economy.
The opera house’s outdoor capacity will rise from 5000 to 6000 people, the southern forecourt’s capacity will rise from 6000 to 7000 people for major events, late-night noise levels will rise and modern management introduced for low and medium events.
Arts and Night-time Economy Minister John Graham says: “No longer will noise levels at the Sydney Opera House forecourt be dictated by the bedtimes of residents at the (nearby) Toaster (apartment complex).
“Over the decades it became a Sydney sport to move in next door to a pub then campaign to close it down,” he says.
“We are putting an end to that and the same approach should apply to the world’s greatest performance venue.”
OPERA HOUSE ATTRACTION
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully says increasing the capacity and operating hours will ensure more people can enjoy their visit.
“These changes will be a great outcome for Sydney which will make sure this iconic venue remains at the heart of Sydney’s event calendar hosting concerts, markets, theatre and more.”
Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron says the changes will increase their ability to host more live performances.
“By offering events with greater capacity and sound, the opera house will deliver more contemporary and diverse outdoor events … while maintaining heritage safeguards for this precinct,” she says.
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Dan Sultan says: “It’s difficult to put into words just what my headline show at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt meant and means to me.
“At that time it was the largest crowd for one of my own concerts; that was the best my band had ever sounded and performed; I was at the best place in my life to date with my wife and children in the wings, and I was singing and performing better than I’d ever done up to that point.
“The Sydney Opera House forecourt is a globally iconic venue. It is truly a bucket list show for any artist anywhere in the world,” he says.
The opera house welcomes around 10 million visitors each year, hosts 1800 shows and events for more than 1.4 million attendees annually and supports over 8000 jobs, the government says.
ENTERTAINMENT PRECINCTS
Other changes have been proposed for special entertainment precincts to operate across the city.
These include allowing public facilities like town halls to host pop-up events without the need for an application, more rooftop dining and bars, allowing empty shops and offices to be used as small, licensed venues like small wine bars and restaurants, and allow for commercial buildings and car parks to be used for temporary live events.
Some of these proposed changes are now on public exhibition until Tuesday, July 7.
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