At first glance it seems entirely reasonable. The Sydney Opera House Trust has imposed a by-law that imposes a fine of up to $ 1100 on patrons who bring food into the Opera House. Those that provide food services in this magnificent building pay astronomical prices for their leases and it would be uneconomic to allow a family to sit at their tables with meat pies and drinks brought from home - and use their facilities for free.
The problem is that this by-law may be harshly interpreted, and applied to those who simply carry a bottle of water for their own use. Certainly, those that offer bottled water for sale within the Opera House would not welcome visitors with their own supply, and in recent times the price of bottled plain water often equals that charged for carbonated drinks.
Water has evolved with a life of it's own in recent years. Australians travelling overseas were fascinated by the custom in America and Europe for water and glasses to appear on the table wherever food was to be served, and now that custom is common here. In the not so distant past pubs and clubs made no charge for a glass of water, but today the pressure of maintaining a healthy bottom line has seen that custom disappear. The common old H20 is now a commodity priced in similar fashion to all other drinks.
There is pressure on school canteens to cease offering fizzy drinks and the average school lunch box now usually contains a bottle of water. In particular, teenagers seem to have adopted water into their lifestyles. It is common to see that water bottle either in their hand or handy whenever they are travelling in groups. Most councils have been under pressure to provide more public "bubblers " where people can obtain a free drink - and allow them to refill water bottles.
The bogey of global warming has shone the spotlight on the need to maintain a healthy bodily liquid balance on days of heat extreme - and we are assured that we will be getting hotter summers. Both the young and the elderly are constantly warned of the dangers of heat stroke when the temperature is sizzling. The importance of having access to water is constantly emphasised.
There is a danger that edicts such as this Sydney Opera House by-law may impose a health danger. If those that carry bottled water for their personal use are required to toss it in the refuse bin before entering places of entertainment where food and drink are sold then they are being denied the right to a means of sustaining life that is quite unreasonable. If need be, we require an act of parliament to specifically allow a personal supply of water to be exempt from such bans.
Patrons attending rock concerts complain that not only is free access to water banned at these events, but water on sale is at exotic prices. These are usually open air events and in summer the temperature can reach astonishing levels in a crowded arena. It is expensive to stage but to offset costs by loading the price of one of life's necessities is a form of extortion that should be banned.
Certainly, those providing water have a right to recover costs and the banning of private food and drink being brought to paid entertainment is quite reasonable - but that should exclude any water brought by a patron for personal use. The only way that can be assured is if it is plainly enshrined in law !
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