Locals will soon start to see signs of action on Mt Iron as vegetation is cleared and a new boundary fence installed as part of the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) purchase of more than 100ha of the landmark.

Last December the council announced it had reached an agreement with landowners Allenby Farms to purchase almost 100 hectares of land around Mount Iron and Little Mount Iron which will be held as public reserve in perpetuity on behalf of the local community.

In August councillors also agreed to QLDC making an application to take over the management of the Mount Iron Scenic Reserve from the Department of Conservation (DOC) which, if successful, would see council managing another 52ha adjacent to the 100ha it is purchasing.

The opportunity to purchase and manage a significant portion of Mt Iron has been celebrated by councillors including deputy mayor Quentin Smith, who said it would create a “true island” in the middle of Wānaka, and former councillor Calum MacLeod who said it would become “the heart and soul of the district”.

QLDC media and channels advisor Sam White confirmed to the Wānaka App last week that council had received resource consent to clear 4,302m2 of vegetation on Mt Iron to create a new boundary fence - one of the steps it needs to take before the purchase of the Allenby Farms land is complete.

In addition to clearing the vegetation and installing a boundary fence, QLDC must also receive approval to acquire and classify the area as recreation reserve before the purchase can be completed. 

Taking over maintenance of the DOC land is a more lengthy process: Sam said DOC had indicated it could take up to two years. 

“Before council lodges [an] application we are working with DOC to make sure that any necessary maintenance is completed beforehand,” Sam said. 

“Both QLDC and DOC are also working with iwi in line with the application process which outlines DOC’s statutory responsibility to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.”

Sam said the benefits of having control of both parcels of land is that it will be managed under a single framework by one organisation: “Among other things, this will allow council to develop a comprehensive Reserve Management Plan reflecting the wishes of the local community and protecting Mt Iron’s biodiversity.”

Approximately 150,000 people walk to the summit of Mt Iron each year.

Residents can sign up to QLDC’s Mount Iron Acquisition newsletter to be kept up to date on progress.

PHOTO: Wānaka App