Latest news with #NicolaJowell
Time Out
03-08-2025
- General
- Time Out
Sea Point Fire Station gets a R7m upgrade
One of Cape Town's oldest fire stations has a new lease on life. First built in 1926, the Sea Point heritage site, has undergone a R7 million renovation that blends old-world character with modern essentials. If you've strolled past the corner of Kloof and Regent Roads recently, you may have noticed the building's fresh fire-engine red coat of paint, while added improvements include a new roof and an electrical infrastructure overhaul. The City confirmed that retaining the station's original architectural features was central to the restoration plan. "It is important for communities to know that they are well-maintained and continue to provide services for those in need for generations to come," said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman Smith. The project, now 95% complete, was delayed for five months because of seagulls nesting in the heritage gutters. As a protected species, their nests couldn't be disturbed until the chicks hatched and flew off. Councillor Nicola Jowell previously told People's Post the gulls made themselves at home in the very features designed to preserve the building's historic character. Making the upgrades more than just cosmetic and adding to the appeal of the popular Atlantic Seaboard suburb. Heritage in high gear The Fire Station renovation forms part of the City of Cape Town's broader focus on revitalising civic landmarks. The 120-year-old City Hall clock tower has just received its own glow-up: the bells have been repaired and are chiming once more after years of silence, reinstating the building's full character as a centrepiece of the CBD. City Hall remains a key venue for events like the State of the Nation Address and concerts by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. Take a listen to the newly-restored bells: @timeoutcapetown The City Hall clock and bell chime is ticking in perfect time following its restorations which kicked off 6 months ago. We had an exclusive look at the clock chimes and tower that is a core part of the city's heritage. #TimeOutCapeTown #capetown #tiktokcapetown #visitcapetown #capetownsouthafrica #capetowntravel #timeoutexclusive ♬ original sound - Time Out Cape Town As Cape Town continues to grow and evolve, the preservation of these monuments reminds us that infrastructure upgrades aren't just functional - they add a sense of culture and place for those or live and visit the city.
IOL News
17-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
Residents object to new cell tower in Sea Point
Residents of Sea Point and Fresnaye are rallying against a proposed cell tower installation, citing health risks, reduced property values, and a lack of community consultation. Image: File The City of Cape Town is considering the lease of municipal-owned property to facilitate telecommunication infrastructure - a move that has drawn significant objection from residents in the upscale suburbs of Sea Point and Fresnaye. Ward councillor, Nicola Jowell, in May called on residents to participate and comment on the proposal for the cell tower at 10A Avenue Marseilles, Sea Point. But irate residents have demanded the immediate rejection of the lease, citing concerns regarding health implications. Gill Taylor, a resident who started the online petition titled 'Stop the cell tower installation at Ave Marseilles, Fresnaye – Protect Our Homes and Heritage,' said they submitted reports on the health risks of such an installation to the City as part of their objection. 'This proposed installation, on a small portion of ±4.4m², is not just a technical upgrade, it is a decision that will affect the health, safety, property values, and character of our neighbourhood for years to come. "The City's own guidelines discourage this type of installation in close proximity to homes, yet this proposal does exactly that. 'Those living with autoimmune diseases, children, the elderly, and other vulnerable individuals face heightened risk. Why is the City gambling with our health?' 'The majority of residents were not informed about the planned mast. The burden of awareness and mobilisation has fallen on individuals who happened to discover the proposal via social media by chance. There has been no meaningful community consultation or notice placed in shared apartment spaces or public walkways.' Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Health risks and community consultation: Residents object to new cell tower in Sea Point Residents of Sea Point and Fresnaye are rallying against a proposed cell tower installation, citing health risks, reduced property values, and a lack of community consultation. This article explores their concerns and the ongoing debate surrounding the project. Image: Facebook She said via the petition that it would also have an impact on visual pollution and heritage. In a health report shared with the Cape Argus, Dr Marion Weston, a homeopathic practitioner, echoed the medical concerns by residents. 'Given the current evidence and the potential for long-term health effects, I do not recommend residing in close proximity to telecommunications towers, especially where high levels of RF-EMFs are consistently present.' Jowell said they were aware of the residents' objections, which have been sent to the leasing coordinator, adding that that all protocols were followed. 'The advert for the proposed leasing of the 4m2 section was advertised in line with the legislation for leasing of space from the City,' she said. 'This included an advert in the media. Given that many people may not see it in that format, I ensured that it was placed on social media for a wider reach within the community, and ensured that the local ratepayers association was also made aware of it. "All regulatory processes have been followed. I am aware that the City has received a large number of objections to the lease from the surrounding community and these have been sent through to the leasing coordinator. "All of this input will then be collated into a consolidated report that will then be presented at our sub-council meeting sometime during the third quarter. "It will be there that myself and the sub-council will make a recommendation on the application based on all the input receive.' The City of Cape Town in their response, said: 'The zoning designation for 10A Avenue Marseilles, Sea Point permits only a minor freestanding base telecommunication station and a minor rooftop base telecommunication station, subject to the City's consent. 'To date, no application for such consent has been received. 'Please note that if the proposed 'cell tower' is intended for the property adjacent to 10A Avenue Marseilles in Sea Point, the zoning regulations allow for the erection of both a minor freestanding base telecommunication station and a minor rooftop base telecommunication station as of right.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Join the public participation for Tafelberg housing development starting May 21
The public participation process into the contentious Tafelberg site in Sea Point, which housing activists have called to be used for social housing, has begun. The first step of the process is set to take place on May 21 at the Life Conference Centre in Sea Point. According to ward councillor, Nicola Jowell, the process seeks to gain communication from the residents. 'Public participation: The Province has sent out an invitation to attend an information session on the site enablement of the Consolidated Erf 1424 – RE (including unregistered Erf 1675), 353 Main Road, Sea Point East (Tafelberg Site)," she said. "This is the first step in the public engagement process. "It is aimed at providing interested and affected parties with essential information and an opportunity to engage directly in the co-creation process from an early stage,' she said. Infrastructure MEC, Tertuis Simmers, said they were happy that the process was ready to begin. 'I am very pleased with the good progress being made in providing mixed-use, affordable housing in the inner city. 'In terms of the Tafelberg development, we have now sent out invitations to the first information session on the site enablement of the property. 'The engagement aims to equip interested and affected parties with key information and create an opportunity for them to actively participate in the co-creation process from the outset," said Simmers. In February, the Constitutional Court reserved judgment in the matter involving activists' plight of spatial apartheid against the City, Western Cape Government, the Premier and Transport and Public Works MEC, over the site. . The activists took their plight to the apex court to appeal the Supreme Court of Appeal's judgment handed down last year, which ruled in favour of the Western Cape Government. The property is over 1.7 hectares in size and has a legacy of forced removals. Until 2010, a portion of the land was used as the provincial education department's Tafelberg Remedial School and a portion known as erf 1675 and 1424 was used by the provincial department of human settlements as affordable state-rental housing known as the Wyngard Mansions site. The application was prompted following the sale of the Tafelberg property known as 'The Tafelberg Site" to the highest bidder - the Phyllis Jowell Jewish Day School at the price tag of R135 million in 2015. Earlier this year, Simmers and Jaco Londt for the Western Cape Social Development announced that a portion of the site be allocated for social services, while the other portion is proposed to be utilised for affordable housing. Cape Argus
