Conservation Management Plan
The Opera House’s latest Conservation Management Plan (CMP) –‘Respecting the Vision: Sydney Opera House – A Conservation Management Plan’ – provides detailed guidance on conservation and management at an important moment in the Opera House's Decade of Renewal.
Launched in October 2017, the CMP Fourth Edition is authored by architect and highly respected heritage specialist Alan Croker and builds on the CMP Third Edition (2003), written by the late James Semple Kerr – widely regarded as having set a new international standard for excellence in conservation management.
Together with the Utzon Design Principles, the CMP Fourth Edition helps the Opera House to better understand the vision and intent of architect Jørn Utzon and the contributions made by Peter Hall to its completion, so it can honour and manage the building, while delivering the best possible experience for the millions who enjoy it each year.
For the best experience, view the Conservation Management Plan PDF using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Please contact us if you require the CMP in an alternate format.
What does the updated CMP include?
The updated CMP builds on the robust Third Edition by providing more detailed information to help the Opera House manage change as it adapts to current and future needs during its Decade of Renewal.
This includes:
- Updated and enhanced history of Bennelong Point;
- Full analysis of the heritage significance of the site, in light of the State, National and World Heritage listings that have occurred since the last edition; and
- A review of the conservation approach to the work of Peter Hall, especially the interiors.
The updated CMP features a number of new tools including the Tolerance and Opportunities for Change tables, which will inform day-to-day decisions for each component of the Opera House building and site – everything from the carpets in the Northern Foyers to acoustic features in the Concert Hall.
About the Conservation Management Plan
The Sydney Opera House was inscribed on the World Heritage List as a masterpiece of human creative genius in 2007. As custodians of the building, our mission is to ‘treasure and renew the Opera House for future generations of artists, audiences and visitors’. Our function as a world-class performing arts centre is central to our heritage listings.
As the Opera House undertakes its Decade of Renewal, the CMP plays an important role in protecting our heritage and our future. Every opportunity during these works has been, and will continue to be taken, to respect the heritage and integrity of the Opera House, in accordance with the CMP and Utzon Design Principles.
The CMP Fourth Edition was commissioned by the Sydney Opera House Trust in response to changes and developments since the Third Edition was published in 2003, including its State, National and UNESCO World Heritage listings.
It has been updated to meet current needs and provides further detail to assist the Opera House with day-to-day decision making as it moves through its Decade of Renewal.
The CMP has been endorsed by the Sydney Opera House Conservation Council, Sydney Opera House Trust, NSW Minister for the Arts and the NSW Heritage Council.
Its extensive review and refinement process also involved consultation with a specially appointed expert peer-review panel, representatives of relevant statutory bodies, the public, staff and other key stakeholders.
The Opera House has a team dedicated to ensuring the CMP is implemented correctly. This will include regular reviews and ongoing training to ensure the CMP is being used in the way it was intended.
A group has been formed with representatives from all business areas to monitor and champion implementation of the CMP across the organisation.
Opera House management will also report regularly on compliance with the CMP to its Conservation Council and Trust Building and Heritage Committee.
Alan Croker, founder and director of Design 5 Architects and award-winning CMP author, has more than 35 years’ experience working on large-scale conservation projects.
Alan has a deep understanding of the Opera House building, site and function. He has been engaged by the Opera House since 1998 when he assisted in developing the CMP Second Edition with James Semple Kerr.
Following Kerr’s retirement in 2004, Alan was appointed as the Opera House’s Heritage Architect and has since been instrumental in a number of small and major projects including the Opera House’s Renewal plans.