The City of Cape Town is implementing a ‘turnaround strategy’ at the Millers Point Resort near Simon’s Town to continually improve the resort over time, as part of an overarching plan to upgrade facilities at all City-owned resorts.
Consultants are being appointed to investigate the resort and suggest a development plan. Once this plan has been drafted, the City will consult with key internal and external stakeholders before drafting a final development proposal. Phase One of the project is due to commence in July 2011.
The main focus of the turnaround at Millers Point will be an improvement in the public access to the resort, a general facility upgrade, and rehabilitation of the sensitive areas.
The Millers Point Resort node is located 5km south of Simon’s Town, on the seaward side of the scenic route which leads to the Cape of Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park. It is also adjacent to the Castle Rock Marine Reserve and in close proximity to a number of renowned diving sites. The entire site is 72.7 hectares in size, and extends approximately 1.5 km along the False Bay coastline. It includes the Cape Boat and Ski Boat Club, Millers Point Slipway, Black Marlin Restaurant complex, the slopes of the Swartklip mountains, and facilities for day-visitors.
In addition, 22 sites on the resort are being rented as locations for mobile homes. These mobile homes are preventing not only the upgrade process, but the use of the facility by the general public. These sites were first allocated in 1987 on an ad-hoc, first-come-first-served basis by the Regional Services Council, on behalf of the Provincial authorities. The apartheid government was still in power, and the allocation was racially discriminatory. Although the allocation was lawful at the time, it would not have been lawful today in terms of the Constitution and the municipal fiscal legislation.
The leases for these sites expired at the end of 2006, and have continued on a month-by-month basis since then. Some of the mobile home tenants/owners are occupying the sites illegally or sub-letting them illegally, while some are in arrears. In order to reclaim the site, the City has served letters of cancellation of each lease on the site lessees. They have been given six months’ notice to vacate.
The caravan park sites are rated among the best in Cape Town and are set in a prime location. They have the potential to attract foreign and domestic leisure markets as well as backpackers who travel through the area. The Black Marlin Restaurant complex is also not achieving its commercial potential, so the restaurant and the accommodation sites will be maximised in order to attract visitors all year round and enhance the sustainability of the resort. The day visitors’ facilities will be upgraded and the design will take the regular snoek runs in the area into account.
“The Millers Point resort is a magnificent and particularly scenic site. The City is looking forward to turning it around and ensuring that it serves as a quality recreational site for Capetonians and a tourist attraction for foreigners. We look forward to engaging with stakeholders next month to hear their ideas and proposals for optimising the site,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee for Community Services, Councillor Brett Herron.
Issued by: Communication Department, City of Cape Town
Media enquiries: Councillor Brett Herron, Mayoral Committee Member: Community Services, Tel: , Cell:
5 Comment
Dave Bax, February 13, 2011 at 9:37 pm
I strongly believe the whole area should be upgraded and developed in line with modern eco principles. I also believe the fact that access is currently restricted to this cape government owned land is incorrect. I sympathise with the residents but the intent when they emplaced the mobile homes was for holiday accomodation and there was no intent for permanence
ReplyTracy Castle Rock, February 13, 2011 at 10:56 am
I live at Castle Rock and I am dismayed at the detoriation and lack of accessibility to the area. All parties who have had leases at Millers Point have always been aware that these were short term. It was not supposed to be used for permanent dwellings. Whilst I do not wish anyone to be homeless or endure hardships, it is unfair to give the impression that they were not aware of the situation. These ‘tenants’ have also to a large extent abused the privileges of ‘holiday’ homes. I don’t think this has anything to do with the government of the day. Of course Millers Point could generate more income and this would be good for the area – not individuals. It will empower and increase the well being for the surrounding areas. I sincerely hope that City Council allows a reputible, transparent and environmentally friendly company to lease the land and run a eco lodge (a company like andBeyond – used to be CC Africa). I am not part of this company but am impressed with their lodges all over Africa. There is no eco lodge anywhere on the Peninsula. It would make sense to have visitors pay to stay and enjoy the marine and wildlife – even the baboons would be welcome! Of course the area should still be accessible to fishermen, residents etc. Currently, I am unable to take my children swimming at the little beach there. Who gave the caravan residents exclusive rights to that beach? I support the Council in their efforts to improve and preserve this gorgeous and special land, Cape Farm.
ReplyLesley Shackleton, November 5, 2010 at 4:09 pm
The Millers Point I knew as a little girl was horribly spoilt when the ghastly pool was put in and the fynbos bulldozed away to make parking. The continued deterioration of this beautiful area is a disgrace. Millers Point urgently needs rehabilitation and restoration to its magnificent natural beauty. It can become a wonderful, affordable (unlike Cape Point) day park for visitors, and could have an environmental education centre providing information on False Bay, fish, dolphins, whales, penguins, baboons and fynbos and all the other natural treasures we have in the South Peninsula. We all need to work together to explore how Millers Point can best be restored for the benefit of all – especially our children, the next generation of conservationists.
ReplyOhSevenThree, November 3, 2010 at 9:50 am
And where are these people to go after (up to) 31 years? Their lease was renewed in 1986, by the current administration, not the apartheid government who originally leased their sites to them. It’s all about money – if there was no money to be made in upgrading the park, nobody would give a toss.
ReplyA.G. Soderlund, November 2, 2010 at 11:16 pm
The Simon’s Town Civic Association would like to be included in the consultation process to ensure it remains aware of local developments. I am the Chairman of the Association and thus would like to register interest
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