Tensions about mountain biking on the reserve simmered at a workshop between the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) and Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) staff on Thursday (September 25).

Bike Wānaka committee member Ian Greaves presented ahead of the workshop, asking for mountain biking and track building to be allowed on the reserve before the reserve’s trail plan is completed.

“There’s a large and enthusiastic mountain biking community ready and waiting to ride on Mt Iron again,” Ian said.

Bike Wānaka has been involved in developing the trail plan, along with the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust and the council’s parks team, and Ian said the club was concerned the plan would not be ready by its scheduled completion date of February.

In the interim, Bike Wānaka is proposing some “very limited new trail construction - only short sections to meet appropriate gradient requirements for uphill biking.”

Existing walking trails would remain “untouched” and the work wouldn’t limit or conflict with future trail concepts, Ian said.

Board members expressed a range of views on whether mountain bikes should expect early access to the reserve and whether or not more consultation was required on the trail plan - which is at the draft stage.

Board member Chris Hadfield commented on Bike Wānaka’s “pent up energy”, while Linda Joll, who said there are “plenty” of other options for mountain bikers, was concerned with the need to consult with residents who live near Mt Iron, particularly in the Hidden Hills area, which would be the access point for mountain bikers to the reserve. 

There’s a large and enthusiastic mountain biking community ready and waiting to ride on Mt Iron.

She said all groups should be able to present their plans, not just “one particular group”.

Councillor Barry Bruce believed further consultation with “all groups” was needed but councillor Lyal Cocks was happy for the work to continue without extensive consultation.

Board chair Simon Telfer was emphatic that the Reserve Management Plan (RMP) was not to be relitigated.

“The conflict does not exist,” he told the parks team. He also told them there was “no chance” they could deliver a draft trail plan by February, given Christmas was approaching and progress could not be made early in the new year.

Following feedback from the board, Dave said staff would follow a “do minimum” approach to consultation, keeping people informed on progress rather than asking for feedback.

Following the meeting, John Wellington told the Wānaka App the situation was “difficult”.

“My heart says we probably should [allow early access to mountain bikers] because they’ve been trying to get access to that specific part of Mt Iron since the purchase of it… they’ve been patient.” 

Equally, he said, the board and council “don’t want to jeopardise the trail development process”.

“There’s a lot of strong feelings both for and against biking on Mt Iron.”

John said he shared Simon’s concerns “that the trail masterplan could drift on quite a long time”.

“I think there’s a limit to how long people will resist going up there. I think there’s a level of frustration in the mountain biking community about how long the process is taking.”

John acknowledged there are “plenty” of other places for people to go mountain biking, but said the mountain biking community has “expectations”.

John was keen to make it clear that while the RMP “clearly states” mountain biking can be reestablished if it meets certain conditions, there would not be any mountain biking on the existing main walking tracks.

Meanwhile Bike Wānaka will have to wait for an answer to their proposal.

Simon told the Wānaka App the board has “asked staff to be pragmatic and to continue to work with Bike Wānaka”. 

“If, realistically, a full trail plan will end up taking many more months then an interim stage one bike trail plan could be an option to consider.”

PHOTOS: Supplied