A billion-dollar refurbishment of Sydney's iconic Opera House looks set to soak up funds in the upcoming NSW budget alongside essential spending on health, education and transport.
Premier Nathan Rees says his government is considering financing the project on a shared basis with the commonwealth, a decision that has drawn praise from Opera House management and criticism from the state opposition.
An upgrade of the 35-year-old building, which injects more than $300 million a year into the national economy, is essential, says Opera House chief executive Richard Evans.
"Everyone who comes here (to the Opera House) comes because of the international reputation of this building," Mr Evans said.
"If we let the international reputation of this building decline, it would be a great blight on the Australian cultural landscape and would show that we didn't really have an ability to look after one of the most famous buildings in the world."
However, Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell has slammed plans to fund the Opera House project amid the current financial constraints.
"Five months ago we cut rail projects to the northwest and southwest because Mr Rees said we didn't have the money," Mr O'Farrell told reporters in Sydney.
"Now we have a lazy half billion or billion dollars, and his first priority is going to be the Opera House."
"This project ... is the equivalent of three major hospitals ... It would complete the upgrading of the Pacific Highway. It would help construct rail links to the northwest and southwest of Sydney."
Mr Evans said the renewal project would not alter the external appearance of the World Heritage-listed Opera House, but would "completely reform" parts of the venue including the opera theatre, which will have its floor lowered by some 18 metres.
"A lot of the changes are going to upgrade the health and safety for the workers of the building, but the public will notice the completely revitalised box office area, and the opera theatre itself will be completely transformed," he said.
"There will be many more seats, a very rich and colourful interior. The acoustics of the hall will be of a standard that's befitting the rest of the building."
Plans for the Opera House refurbishment are impressive, says NSW Treasurer Eric Roozendaal, who has seen details of the upgrade, which is among many funding requests being considered as part of the state budget due for release on June 16.
"The government's priority will be to invest in infrastructure that generates jobs, is a stimulus to the economy and ensures economic growth and prosperity for the people of NSW," Mr Roozendaal told reporters.
"Clearly if there is to be any funding for the Opera House, it would require substantial support from the federal government."
He said there had been initial talks with federal government representatives about the plan and his commonwealth counterparts were also considering the funding project.
Mr Evans recognised the funding application came at a difficult time but said it would bring new jobs to NSW.
"This project runs over seven years. It's going to generate 3,000 new jobs in the NSW economy ... (it is) exactly the right time for a project like this to get up," he said.
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