A final reserve management plan (RMP) for the Mount Iron Reserve - with a vision to provide “outdoor recreation in the heart of an urban environment” - will be considered by members of the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board today (Thursday March 27).

Changes in the final RMP following community feedback late last year on the draft RMP include the removal of an objective to enable a mountain bike trail network within the reserve, which was advocated for by members of Bike Wānaka.

“While there was support for this objective, it was highlighted that no other recreation activities were specified as an objective,” a Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) report to the WUCCB says. 

Existing objectives and policies already allow for mountain biking on Mount Iron.

Other changes to the final RMP being considered by councillors today include the removal of policies allowing commercial activity on the reserve.

Council staffers said this aligns with the status quo, “as there are currently no commercial activities permitted on the recreation reserve, except for [Department of Conservation] concessions on the Mount Iron 5km loop trail easement”.

An additional ecology policy has been added to require ecological assessments prior to development or planting.

Preparation of the RMP has been a long process following the purchase in May 2023 of 94 hectares of Mount Iron and Little Mount Iron by QLDC.

The area has been gazetted as a recreation reserve, and consultation was undertaken with the community in 2023 and 2024.

Read more: Future uses of Mt Iron subject of hearing

The vision in the RMP describes Mount Iron Reserve as “a revered Wānaka landmark where indigenous ecosystems thrive, providing outdoor recreation in the heart of an urban environment”. 

“It unites residents and visitors, bringing the community together to protect its recreation, scenic, cultural, ecological and geological values.”

The WUCCB will consider the RMP at today’s meeting (Thursday March 27) at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre from 10am.

PHOTO: Wānaka App