Has the Franschhoek Cableway been cancelled?

No. The project is still in the early consultation phase. The initial public comment and engagement has been concluded, and the team of experts are now working on addressing concerns raised and amending plans where necessary to ensure that the final project will optimize the potential socio-economic benefits while preventing or mitigating any identified environmental impacts to ensure that the project is environmentally sustainable and in-keeping with the needs of the whole of Franschhoek community. The project developers are committed to developing community wide consensus on the best way forward. This will be done in a deliberative and consensual manner and the expert feedback on the public comment process will be shared in due course as part of ongoing consultations. 

What is the Franschhoek Cableway project?

The Franschhoek Cableway is a world class project designed to enhance Franschhoek’s appeal by offering visitors breathtaking views of the region from a new vantage point. The project aims to support local economic growth, create jobs, and further promote the area as a premier tourist destination. Its development is carefully planned to maintain the town's charm and character while integrating with its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. 

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To help ensure that the Franschhoek economy creates jobs and opportunities for all and to reverse a trend of economic decline and growing poverty, it is important that the area continues to innovate and provide and new and exciting product offerings to visitors.

South Africa is a long-haul tourist destination, and our value proposition needs to evolve, otherwise we run the risk of losing tourist revenue to other countries.

How will the cableway impact Franschhoek's tourism?

The cableway will strengthen Franschhoek's identity as a leading tourist destination, complementing existing attractions such as the town’s vineyards, restaurants, and artisanal shops. It encourages “slow tourism”, where visitors engage deeply with the town’s offerings, spend more time in the area, and contribute more to the local economy. The anticipated increase in visitors will be gradual and manageable, with a focus on enhancing the quality of the experience and sustainable tourism 

Is there a risk of overtourism due to the Franschhoek Cableway?

The project is being designed with an eye to prevent overtourism. On peak days, tourists are expected to make up no more than 15% of the total population in the town. The cableway is looking into several ways to avoid crowding, including by offering pre-booked timeslots on the cableway to manage numbers. The cableway aims to distribute visitor activity across various parts of the region, alleviating pressure on traditional tourist hotspots and ensuring a balanced experience for both residents and visitors. There is a particular focus on limiting the traffic impact, which will not have a material impact on local residents. We would like to hear your opinions on this, please get in touch with us.

How will the cableway benefit the local economy?

The Franschhoek Cableway will create hundreds of employment opportunities during both the construction and operational phases. The increase in tourists is anticipated to further boost local businesses, from hospitality to retail, contributing significantly to the local economy. The project is projected to generate substantial economic benefits, supporting sustainable community growth while maintaining the town’s character. These are desperately needed economic opportunities, especially from communities that have historically been denied such. 

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To help ensure that the Franschhoek economy creates jobs and opportunities for all and to reverse a trend of economic decline and growing poverty, it is important that the area continues to innovate and provide new and exciting product offerings to visitors. The project will operate on a strict “Franschhoek First” employment and procurement policy - ensuring that the maximum economic benefits will remain within our community.

What is being done to address environmental concerns? 

The Franschhoek Cableway has undergone rigorous environmental assessments by leading experts in their field to ensure its sustainability: 

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• Terrestrial Biodiversity Impact Assessment: Indicates a low to medium negative impact on local biodiversity, with mitigation strategies to manage potential effects on flora and fauna. 

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• Botanical Impact Assessment: Shows minimal impact on botanical resources, with no significant constraints. Preservation measures will be implemented. 

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• Faunal Impact Assessment: Finds no substantial threat to wildlife, with mitigation plans in place to ensure minimal disruption to habitats. 

How does the project align with UNESCO World Heritage standards?

There are over 37 cableways existing in World Heritage Sites globally which enable visitors access to these unique resources that they may not otherwise have had. Although the proposed location of the Franschhoek Cableway upper station does not fall within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the project has been thoroughly evaluated against UNESCO's criteria and national environmental regulations, adheres to all standards and does not pose a risk to the town’s World Heritage status.

Will the project strain Franschhoek’s power supply?

The planning for the Franschhoek Cableway has taken power supply into account. According to the Electrical Services Report, the project’s feasibility is contingent on an upgrade to the existing power infrastructure, which will be funded by the developer, not the municipality. There will be no need for additional power supply beyond this upgrade. Sustainable energy sources such as solar power will be deployed as much as possible.  

How will traffic and congestion be managed? 

The efficient operating of the Franschhoek Cableway and the functioning of the town rely on smooth traffic flows. As such, the cableway is investigating many strategies to enhance the flow of traffic, including pre-booked time slots for cableway users, a park-and-ride system, and including   existing local public transport solutions. These and other measures will be introduced with community collaboration to avoid any negative impact on Franschhoek’s roads or main thoroughfares. 

What about the visual impact of the cableway on Franschhoek’s landscapes?

The design of the Franschhoek Cableway by world-class architects specialising in building in sensitive areas has been developed to minimise visual disruption. The Visual Impact Assessment supports the project, noting that design and operational strategies will preserve the unique charm and aesthetic appeal that Franschhoek is known for. Every effort is being made to integrate the cableway harmoniously into the surrounding environment. 

How will fire risks be managed? 

The Integrated Fire Management Plan, prepared by wildfire specialists, includes comprehensive strategies for managing fire risks during both the construction and operational phases of the cableway. In fact, the cableway presents numerous fire-management benefits including funding to enable alien invasive species clearing, the burning and maintenance of firebreaks, the installation of a 24 hour camera detection system on both the Upper and Lower Stations, linked to the Fire Services control room and an exterior sprinkler defence system with an 80,000 litre capacity, not to mention the possibility to place up to 80 firefighters on the Middagkrans Peak within 5 minutes from the base station using the cablecar.

Will noise from the cableway disturb local wildlife or residents? 

The Noise Impact Assessment confirms that there will be no significant disturbances to the surrounding environment. Additional noise-reduction measures will be implemented during construction and operation to mitigate any potential impact on local wildlife and residents. 

How is the public involved in the project’s development? 

We warmly welcome your inputs into making this project a success for all Franschhoek residents and the broader Western Cape economy.  By making your input we will be in even better position to shape the project in way that works best for all residents of the valley. 

The Franschhoek Cableway project is committed to actively engaging the community throughout its development. We have established an open and transparent process to ensure that the people of Franschhoek are involved and their voices are heard.

Updates about the project will be shared through various communication channels. Community members are invited to contribute their feedback and perspectives during these engagement opportunities. We value your input and are dedicated to incorporating community feedback to align the project with the needs and preferences of Franschhoek residents. 

What are the long-term benefits of the Franschhoek Cableway? 

The Franschhoek Cableway is expected to enhance the town's reputation both locally and internationally, contributing to long-term economic growth and job creation. By supporting “slow tourism”, it will encourage longer stays and deeper engagement with Franschhoek's cultural and natural assets. This will provide a steady and sustainable income stream for local businesses while preserving the town’s unique charm.