Calls to ramp up security at iconic Australian sites in wake of London, Stockholm attacks

There are calls for a review of security around Sydney's Opera House, a magnet for more than 8.2 million visitors each year.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

NSW has come out on top again in CommSec's State of the States report. Source: AAP

Concerns over security for the popular tourist site were prompted by a recent spate of terrorists using vehicles as weapons, as was seen in Nice, Berlin, London and most recently, Stockholm, to inflict mass casualties.

Security analyst Greg Barton said steps could be taken to help reduce the risk of a similar attack in Australia.

"The increased likelihood of vehicles being used for attacks, as we saw with Westminster Bridge, means we now have to reconsider all public spaces," Mr Barton said.

"Perhaps the most iconic public space of all is the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House, so things like hydraulic bollards, better regulating access, better coordinating between authorities, those are things that can be done."

Lobby group Sydney Business Chamber has also called for a review of security around Circular Quay and the Opera House following concerns raised by residents about vehicle access to the busy pedestrian area.
Patricia Forsythe of Sydney Business Chamber said a lack of coordination between a number of groups responsible for security in the area could put people at risk.

"They do well at New Year’s Eve, Australia Day and during Vivid, but the message from residents, and certainly from business, is that there are other times when it's not clear whether they're on top of all the security issues," Ms Forsythe said.

While Australia's terror threat level remains at probable, Mr Barton said governments needed to balance public freedoms with public safety.

He said boosting the numbers of heavily armed police on the streets would not necessarily improve safety.

"Just because you don't see security, just because you see, for example, a white van moving down a public space, doesn't mean people aren't paying attention and there aren't levels of control."

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By Brianna Roberts


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