NSW premier defends intervening over racing projections on Sydney Opera House

The NSW premier has copped criticism for intervening in a dispute between the Sydney Opera House and Racing NSW after a diatribe from broadcaster Alan Jones.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian denies caving into pressure to allow ads on the Sydney Opera House. (AAP)

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has denied she caved into bullying from broadcaster Alan Jones when she intervened to allow horse racing advertising to be projected onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House.

Sydney shock jock Alan Jones on Friday harassed Opera House chief executive Louise Herron who'd ruled against allowing words or branding to be projected onto the iconic venue because "it's not a billboard".

Within hours the premier had intervened to ensure Racing NSW could promote next weekend's Everest Cup at Randwick racecourse on Tuesday night.

"There'll be no logos or names - the only words on there are the words on the trophy itself," Ms Berejiklian told reporters on Sunday.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has denied she caved into bullying from broadcaster Alan Jones Source: AAP

"That is consistent with what's happened in the past, whether it's other sporting events or opportunities or other artistic expressions."

The Liberal leader said her intervention followed "weeks and weeks of negotiation" regarding Racing NSW's plan to promote the barrier draw for Saturday's race using the Opera House.

"It is happening on Tuesday and that was the timeliness of the issue," she said on Sunday.

The premier said the display to be shown this week was "much toned down to what the government was first presented with".

Anti-gambling activist Tim Costello says Jones's "nasty hectoring" of Ms Herron and his "sheer brutality" shouldn't surprise anyone.

"He has long been a promoter of the gambling industry and also has commercial interests in racing," Mr Costello wrote in the Guardian on Sunday.

Anti-gambling activist Tim Costello says Jones's "nasty hectoring" of Ms Herron and his "sheer brutality" shouldn't surprise anyone. Source: AAP

The Guardian also reports the United Nations body that declares world heritage sites is "looking into" the Racing NSW promotion.

But the premier insists the Opera House's status is not at risk.

"I'm absolutely confident the Sydney Opera House will continue to be the icon that it is globally and for us locally," she said.

A petition to "Defend Our Opera House: Support Louise Herron" on change.org has been backed by more than 40,000 people.