Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) members discussed plans for the future of the Mount Iron Reserve at a workshop yesterday (Tuesday May 28).

Around 100 hectares of land around Mount Iron and Little Mount Iron are now in public ownership and Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is in the process of creating a Reserve Management Plan (RMP) to determine how the land be used now and into the future. 

At the workshop elected members discussed a range of draft policies for the RMP (which will go out for public consultation later in the winter), from commercial activities to community partnering and infrastructure.

They discussed what kind of commercial activities, if any, might be appropriate on the reserve, including activities like coffee carts and yoga classes; whether or not the flat area is suitable for ‘park and ride’ or event parking; and guidance around track formation.

Board members agreed that community partnerships, guardianship and volunteering should be encouraged in the RMP and that any lighting should be limited to toilet blocks but they were divided on whether or not the site was suitable for ‘park and ride’ during events.

There was some division on whether or not a ‘qualified’ expert was required in the planning of any future tracks on the reserve, with some board members noting that there were many locals with extensive experience and knowledge around tracks.

Initial work on the draft RMP has been informed by last year’s consultation, during which 870 members of the public contributed via the Let’s Talk webpage and in-person engagement.

Residents highlighted a desire for things like good mountain bike tracks, open space for play and links to the active travel network.

They said they didn’t want to see ‘excessive’ safety signage and rules, a loss of nature or the sense of solitude, and the like.

Earlier this year QLDC finalised the purchase of 94 hectares of the Mount Iron land from former owners Cleugh Family and Allenby Farms and in May the day-to-day management of another 50-or-so hectares of neighbouring Department of Conservation land was also transferred to QLDC.

The draft RMP for the Mount Iron Reserve is expected to be completed in July; after this, it will be presented to the WUCCB for endorsement and public consultation is expected to open in August or September. 

The final Mount Iron RMP is likely to be presented to full council for adoption by the end of the year.

PHOTO: Wānaka App