The Department of Conservation (DOC) has made some changes to the Mt Iron track in preparation for handing management of the site over to Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC).

DOC spokesperson Anita Middlemiss said the work was focused on the management of water on the track surface.  

“It involved some culvert installation and some limited surface shaping,” she said.

Walkers last weekend found the track to be a treacherous mud slick, but its condition had improved this week.

“At this time of year, tracks are often muddy and slippery, regardless of whether there is any work being undertaken,” Anita told the Wānaka App.

“We have put signs at the access points around the site.”

DOC also removed the stiles on the section of track where the underlying land is now owned by QLDC, and the council has been removing internal fences on its block so the stiles are no longer needed. 

QLDC’s plans to purchase almost 100ha of privately owned land at Mt Iron - to become a public reserve in perpetuity for the local community - were announced in December 2021. 

Read more: ‘Once in a generation opportunity’: Mount Iron to become public reserve

QLDC worked with land owner Allenby Farms Ltd to reach the agreement that 67ha on the north, west and southern flanks of Mt Iron and land running along State Highway 84, plus an additional 27ha centred on Little Mt Iron, be transferred to council ownership and held as reserve for community use.

“No further work is currently planned, but that will be subject to final walkover with QLDC,” Anita said.

PHOTO: Wānaka App