The annual report of Australia’s most iconic venue reveals lightning strikes and drone collisions among insurance claims.

It’s the most recognisable opera house in the world, a powerfully evocative icon of Australiana and one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country. Each year 8.2 million people flock to see its pearly sails by Sydney Cove, including 1.45 million attendees annually to its more than 1900 performances. It’s little wonder then that the Sydney Opera House has experienced its fair share of wear and tear, as revealed in its 2014/15 report. Almost $100,000 in compensation and insurance claims were made during the period, including payouts for ticket refunds, accident liability and building damage.

In December 2014, precautionary evacuations as a result of the Lindt Cafe siege required insurance payouts for missed performances totalling $42,042. Two motor vehicle incidents on the Opera House’s grounds racked up bills totalling $18,813, with a further 11 claims for property damage adding another $21,465 to the insurance payouts. These included repairs following a lightning strike to the Man O’War Wharf which destroyed CCTV cameras on the eastern edge of the venue, the cleaning of graffiti vandalism and repairs to damage caused by a drone colliding with the Sydney Opera House’s distinctive tiled sails. However there was a dramatic drop in lodged claims relating to liability for accidental equipment or third party vehicle damage and visitor injuries: just $15,115 in the 2014/15 fiscal year compared to $325,111 listed in the previous report.

In addition to its status as Australia’s most famous arts venue, the Sydney Opera House’s many bars and restaurants are among the most popular in the city, offering unparalleled views of the Sydney Harbour and its famous bridge. Revenue from food and drink sales exceeded $10 million for the first time, a sum almost mirrored by the $9 million raised by tours of the venue. Despite these impressive figures, the Opera house registered a reduced profit of just $1 million, down from $7 million reported last year, although this was better than the projected operating deficit the Sydney Opera House had been expecting.

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