The City of Cape Town’s Coastal Management branch is busy developing a long-term vision for Miller’s Point, which has a popular tidal pool, campsite and beach, and public launch site for vessels. The intention is to propose improvements that can be implemented over time to revitalise and conserve this coastal asset that is also of great ecological and historical importance.

The process kicked off in November last year with an online survey where residents, visitors, stakeholders and interested and affected parties had the opportunity to share their experiences and views. A total of 490 participants completed the survey with 25% of them indicating they visit Miller’s Point every week and nearly half (45%) indicating they visited Miller’s Point at least once a month.

‘We are blown away by the huge interest residents showed in this survey. Clearly, this area is very close to visitors’ hearts, and it is also great to see that the far majority do not want fancy additions or changes, but simply want us to improve or repair what is already there, and to address universal access so that those who have special needs or use wheelchairs can also visit with ease,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

Miller’s Point is a 300m wide strip of land that forms a transition zone between the declared Unesco World Heritage site of Table Mountain National Park and the Table Mountain Marine Protected Area. It is a key entry point to the ‘Great African Seaforest’ and is host to shell middens that offer insight into our indigenous history.

Unfortunately, the site is facing serious challenges because of deteriorating infrastructure, including outdated amenities, eroded pathways, and inadequate visitor facilities. The historic buildings are also in need of restoration.

Summary of the survey results:

• Nearly 97% of the 490 people who participated are from Cape Town
• Nearly 90% travel 5km or more to get to Miller’s Point, thus, it is a site that attracts visitors from all over Cape Town
• Up to 45% go monthly; and 25% weekly – thus, those who participated visit Miller’s Point on a regular basis
• The majority of participants go there for leisure, or for launching boats
• The site is important to respondents because of recreation and leisure, conservation value, and being located in a unique protected marine environment
• Most respondents want the character of Miller’s Point retained and the environment conserved, in conjunction with the upgrade of existing facilities such as the tidal pool, ablutions, and access points
• There is a need for safe and universally accessible walkways
• There is a need for improved security
• There is a need for waste management
• Those launching their boats would like to see improved traffic flow and launch control

The revitalisation programme is intended to:

• Promote socio-economic benefits and the preservation of cultural heritage
• Promote the preservation and protection of this unique and sensitive coastal node
• Allocate investment for resilient and sustainable infrastructure
• Optimise commercial and educational opportunities

‘We now have a better understanding of how residents and stakeholders use this site, what they think should be improved, and how best they think we can enhance its full potential for future generations. There is great alignment between the survey results and the City’s plans which will focus on repairing existing infrastructure; addressing universal access; and conserving the heritage, biodiversity, and local character of Miller’s Point,’ said Alderman Andrews.

The survey results will inform the City’s long-term vision, which is to be developed in consultation with local communities, stakeholders, and the broader public. The planning process will include further analysis and investigations as part of the scoping phase that will happen in coming months.