Mossel Bay is known as the cradle of human culture, the place where humans first started acting human.
But a planned 42m Ferris wheel on the southern Cape town’s famous Point is just plain silly according to many local residents, who have taken to social media to voice their concerns.
The municipality confirmed it had received an application to erect a 90-ton Ferris wheel with 24 enclosed cabins on a 31m x 28m site that adjoins the lighthouse and caravan park.
The application has been approved in principle “subject to various conditions”, according to director of planning and economic development Carel Venter. “These conditions include that the applicant will be responsible for the necessary land use applications and approvals as well as the necessary environmental authorisations,” Venter said.
“The wheel will offer sweeping panoramic views and a 360° view of the town.”
The public will now be invited to comment, “whereafter the item will be referred back to council for further consideration”, Venter said.
40m: Diameter of Ferris wheel at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town
42m: Diameter of proposed Ferris wheel at The Point in Mossel Bay
120m: Diameter of London Eye next to the Houses of Parliament in the UK
167.6m: World’s biggest Ferris wheel, the High Roller in Las Vegas, US
— Ferris wheels in numbers
The applicant is the current lessee of the Point Caravan Resort, where co-director Mike Lutchman said the Ferris wheel would be an economic benefit to the area.
But Heritage Mossel Bay raised concerns about the “further commercialisation” and visual impact on the Point, a heritage site it says is central to the character of the town.
“The enchantment of Mossel Bay lies in the headland of St Blaize and its environs that shape the bay. Cape St Blaize guards over the The Poort, a unique swimming gulley; and the Point, the town common,” said chairperson Carina Wiggill.
“The ritual over more than a century of town folk walking around the Point, driving around it when coming or going, or just quietly viewing the sea, highlights the significance of the Point as a town identity.”
Wiggill said a Ferris wheel would be a welcome tourist attraction but it “should be on a more appropriate site with adequate circulation space, facilities for parking, and where it will not impact so drastically on the urban landscape as it will at The Point”.
Public opinion appears divided, with a range of opinions appearing online. “I love this idea. What a jorl it would be to young and old,” said Bronwyn Lloyd-Lister Jack. Not so, fumed Eugene Ehlers: “They are surely not serious. I thought it was an April Fool’s joke.”
Tony Burns said: “What a stupid proposal – absolutely ridiculous.”
Several others said the idea was good, just not the location. Said Bill Frost: “Great idea, but won’t the wind blow it over?”
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