A draft Reserve Management Plan (RMP) for the Mt Iron Recreation Reserve has been given the thumbs up by the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB).

The plan envisions a reserve which is maintained as an ‘undeveloped slice of the outdoors’ within a busy town, one which preserves and prioritises the “natural, open and informal recreation and scenic experience”.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) recently purchased 100 hectares of land on Mt Iron and Little Mt Iron and took over the day-to-day management of another 50 hectares. Planning for the final RMP - which will determine how the local landmark is used, managed and preserved - began last October.

“This is a really important milestone today to get to this draft RMP,” QLDC senior parks advisor Kat Banyard said at yesterday’s (Thursday August 22) WUCCB meeting.

The draft RMP’s vision is for the reserve to “unite residents and visitors, bringing the community together to protect its cultural ecological and recreational values”.

A range of policies support this overall goal, for example to limit commercial activity, enable community members to take part in enhancing the reserve, control pests, support regenerative practices, and protect and enhance waterways.

The plan also aims to enable active and passive recreational use with a mountain bike trail network and improved access for people with limited mobility, plus maintain “strong connections” with the active travel network and nearby urban areas.

Kat said the draft RMP “really reflects” the aspirations of the community and mana whenua shared during “extensive consultation” which 870 members of the public contributed to.

WUCCB chair Simon Telfer said the board had also been heavily involved in the “huge piece of work”.

Board members agreed to undertake final sign-off before the draft RMP is publicly notified, to account for pending information from Kai Tahu, and any other changes.

Once councillors approve the draft RMP members of the community will have another opportunity to share input and help shape the final RMP, Kat said

PHOTO: TripTins