Sydney Opera House conservation plan

–50–above. However, any determination should involve real and effectivepublic consultation.See also policy 56.1 (Sequence and advice in developing proposals) andpages 98 to 99 (External processes).Forecourt pedestrian and vehicle pathsVisitors who round the ‘toaster’ from East Circular Quay have an immediateand spectacular view of the Opera House. Their natural, andappropriate, path is to cross to the right to gain the ceremonial steps ofthe podium. Vehicles on the other hand arrive on the right and cross tothe left to pass under the steps.Policy 4.1 Any action taken to reduce the conflict of pedestrian andvehicle paths should make clear the pedestrian approach to the OperaHouse via the forecourt and podium steps as well as via the vehicleconcourse.See also pages 58 to 59 on the forecourt.Policy 4.2 The long term objective should be a complete separation ofpedestrian and heavy vehicle traffic accessing the Opera House.This could be achieved by heavy vehicle access at a lower level.Removal of busesTim Jacobs’ much publicised complaint that the Opera House interiorsare like ‘…a bus station’ (e.g. SMH, 20.9.1997) has a certain literalaccuracy when applied to the vehicle concourse. It has become alayover point for some city buses and the consequent powerful noisepollution, diesel fume emission and periodic congestion in theenclosed space is unacceptable. The timetable posted in the concourseshows there are 99 departures each week day and two or three busescan occupy the space at any one time. The bus traffic has also made acontribution to the breaking up of the granite sett road surface.Regular emissions from diesel buses are partly responsible for thediscolouration of the famous folded beams overhead, resulting inmanagement requests for them to be painted. It is, however, importantto retain the texture and colour of Utzon’s precast and concrete structures(see pages 86 to 88).In any case visitors should be encouraged to walk the short distancefrom ferry, train and bus services. The new developments on EastCircular Quay provide both covered and open access along the waterfrontand visitors are rewarded with a spectacular ‘surprise’ view asthey reach the entry to the site.Policy 5.1 City bus services should not layover on the Opera Housesite but should instead wait at their accustomed points round theQuay—or circumnavigate the fountain roundabout at the foot ofMacquarie Street to service bus stops nearby.The disabled and infirm may of course continue to be delivered to thedoor in light vehicles.