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...