Sydney Opera House referred to NSW ICAC over ongoing million-dollar maintenance concerns
Whistleblowers have made shock claims against management of the Sydney Opera House to the NSW ICAC, following allegations the iconic landmark is “falling apart”.
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Claims of the jewel of Sydney Harbour — the Opera House — is “falling apart” with millions of dollars worth of unresolved maintenance left unchecked have been referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Whistleblowers inside the Opera House have alleged a failure to address “millions of dollars worth of ongoing maintenance issues, repeatedly raised with management but never addressed”.
The referral was submitted on the eve of year-long 50th anniversary celebrations, as a series of ongoing maintenance works at the house continue.
“The house is falling apart,” one whistleblower told NewsLocal before the referral to ICAC. “Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage occurred to the concert hall organ, after a water sprinkler flooded the room it is housed in.
“The eastern concrete seawall of the house is falling into the harbour, maintenance staff were told to tie the concrete panelled walls down with ropes and install exclusion zones to prevent the public from seeing the damage — it could fall into the ocean at any time.”
Meanwhile, another whistleblower also raised concerns around the famous concert hall, revealing ongoing issues with the installation of new seating meant that rows of seats were “failing to the point where they cannot be used”.
“Construction debris has been left in the open ceiling of the concert hall from the redevelopment, that drop onto the audience and the performers below regularly,” the source said. “The way that they take safety is ridiculous — the quality control is not existent.
“There is a serious waste of public funds.
“Whenever a contractor wins a contract to do work, warranties are voided or non-existent and the taxpayer is forced to fork out more money to fix issues when the place falls apart months after work is complete.”
Shadow Arts Minister John Graham described the claims as “vandalism”.
“The news of this damage on the eve of Opera House’s 50th birthday is tragic,” he said. “We are demanding a full account of what has happened and how it will be fixed.”
In April, NewsLocal revealed an eye-watering $86.141 million has been spent in the last three years on the maintenance and repair of the iconic house.
At the time, Arts Minister Ben Franklin revealed $28.589 million had been spent in the 2019-20 financial year on the Sydney Opera House, followed by $35.807 million in 2020-21 and another $21.744 million in the 2021-22 financial year to-date.
A Sydney Opera House spokeswoman said management were not aware of a referral to the NSW ICAC, or maintenance concerns being raised to management.
The spokeswoman confirmed a sprinkler head in the Concert Hall ceiling was activated earlier this year, “resulting in water being discharged”.
“This occurred mainly above the ceiling, but some water also tracked into the Grand Organ and areas below,” she said. “The Opera House’s organ maintenance specialist was on site at the time and quickly mobilised to minimise the impact.
“Comprehensive maintenance of the organ was taking place while the venue was closed for renewal upgrades, so our specialist contractor was able to promptly schedule the works needed to rectify the damage caused by the water.
“The organ will be brought back into service as soon as possible, likely next year.”
“Regarding the seawall, the Opera House occasionally undertakes essential repairs on the perimeter skirting panels, which have been exposed to the harsh marine environment for more than 50 years.
“Temporary panels can be installed while this work is completed and, if required, straps are used to stabilise the panels during the works.
“Any suggestion the Opera House is not properly maintaining the organ and seawall is baseless.”
The spokeswoman said representatives were “not aware of any of the other issues referenced”.
Arts Minister Ben Franklin was contacted for comment.
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