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PDF printable version of Opera House upgrades – great for older Australians (PDF 175 KB)

12 April 2008

Upgrades currently underway at the Sydney Opera House -- including the first public lift in the facility -- will make it easier for older Australians and people with mobility issues to visit and experience one of Australia’s greatest cultural institution, the Federal Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, said.

The $38 million redevelopment includes the construction of the first public lift in the Opera House and the installation of two public escalators, which together save visitors from negotiating some 92 steps.

Speaking at the Sydney Opera House for the announcement of the new Ambassador for Ageing, Mrs Elliot congratulated the Sydney Opera House Trust and the New South Wales Government for recognising the mobility needs of frail, older people and people with disabilities in their building upgrades.

At the same event, Mrs Elliot named actor Noeline Brown as Australia’s first Ambassador for Ageing.

“As people age, their ability to walk around and negotiate things such as stairs can decrease, making it harder to get out and about and continue to enjoy everyday experiences,” Ms Elliot said.

“There are currently 1.9 million Australians aged 70 years and over, comprising nearly 10 per cent of the population; a number that will double in the next 20 years.

“With this comes the challenge of making sure our public buildings and institutions are able meet the mobility needs of older, frail people.

“Builders, architects and designers will therefore play an increasingly important role in providing safe, comfortable and appropriate buildings to that meet the special needs of our older citizens.”

For more information, contact Mrs Elliot's office on (02) 6277 7280

Sydney Opera House fact sheet

Sydney Opera House Accessibility and Western Foyers Project
Update – April 2008

The Accessibility and Western Foyers Project is an important milestone for Sydney Opera House. It is the largest building project undertaken since Jørn Utzon’s re-engagement in 1999 as Sydney Opera House architect.

Funded by the NSW State Government for a total of $38 million, the project will significantly improve access and amenities for patrons. Approximately 20 per cent of the population have mobility issues and the installation of a new lift and two public escalators will benefit hundreds of thousands of visitors to Sydney Opera House.

The project builds on the success of the Western Colonnade and completes Jørn Utzon’s plans for the Western Foyers. When complete, the project will transform the foyer interiors, creating a stylish and functional space serving the Playhouse, the Studio and the Drama Theatre as well as improving access for patrons.

As with the refurbishment of the Utzon Room (2004) and the Colonnade (2006), Jørn is collaborating with his son Jan and Australian architects Johnson Pilton Walker.

The New Lift

An important part of the project is the construction of a new lift. This will be the first public lift at Sydney Opera House and is expected to open in December 2008.


The lift will make it significantly easier for less mobile visitors, families with prams and people with a disability to move around the building.

Stopping at three levels, it will connect the Lower Concourse, the Western Foyers and the Box Office Foyer. It will hold approximately 50 people. Patrons will reach the lift via a new corridor opposite the Sydney Opera House store on the Lower Concourse level. The corridor will allow patrons to travel undercover from Wilson’s car park to the Western theatres for the first time.

Operated by a hydraulic pump, the lift will be roofless, allowing patrons to see the detail of the interior roof in the Box Office Foyer.

Concert Hall and Opera Theatre escalators

Two new escalators will be installed to further improve the ease with which patrons can move around the building. When used in conjunction with the new lift, the escalators will save patrons negotiating 92 steps up and 92 steps down to the venues and walking a distance of approximately 250 metres each way.

Escalator one will take patrons from the Box Office Foyer to the Opera Theatre Southern Foyer. It is anticipated that work will begin in December 2008 and be completed mid-2009.

Escalator two will take patrons from the Box Office Foyer to the Concert Hall Southern Foyer. A start date has yet to be confirmed but it is anticipated the escalator would be completed mid-2009.

Currently, patrons unable to navigate the stairs have to be escorted through the building by a member of staff to reach either of the venues. When the new lift opens patrons will be able to access the Concert Hall and Opera Theatre Southern Foyers without navigating any steps by taking the lift from the Lower Concourse level, to the Western Foyers and then to the Box Office Foyer. At the Box Office level patrons can then take the escalator to the Concert Hall or Opera Theatre.

The escalators and lift are a fantastic solution developed by Sydney Opera House architect Jørn Utzon to improve access for patrons and have been designed to complement the look of the building. Detailed consultations with the NSW Heritage Office, the NSW Heritage Council and the Sydney Opera House Conservation Council have taken place.






Artist impression of the new lift

For more information, contact Mrs Elliot's office on (02) 6277 7280