The new Mount Iron reserve has the potential for a world class network of mountain biking tracks, Bike Wānaka spokesperson Simon Telfer says.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) councillors agreed on Thursday (December 16) to purchase almost 100ha of privately owned land around Mount Iron.

The land includes 67ha on the north, west and southern flanks of Mount Iron and land running along State Highway 84, plus an additional 27ha centred on Little Mount Iron, which will be transferred to council ownership and held as reserve for community use.

Previous: ‘Once in a generation opportunity’: Mount Iron to become public reserve

The council has been working on the purchase with owner Allenby Farms Ltd for about 18 months. 

Simon said Bike Wānaka has been aware of the possibility of a Mount Iron reserve for some time, which allowed the club to factor it into its long term mountain bike and active transport planning.

“We believe the new Mount Iron reserve is a great opportunity to develop a co-governance model that sees shared kaitiakitanga/guardianship by numerous community groups over this special whenua,” he said.

“There is unbelievable potential for developing a world class network of biking tracks on the Mount Iron reserve, catering for all levels of riders and existing in harmony with people walking the maunga.” 

Wānaka councillor Quentin Smith told the Wānaka App last week that council would allow the development of unique mountain biking tracks among rocky outcrops and kanuka at Mount Iron.

He also pointed out the new reserve, at close to 100ha, is twice as large as Sticky Forest, Wānaka’s popular mountain biking area.

Simon said the Mount Iron and Sticky Forest opportunities are “completely separate”.

“We continue to advocate tirelessly for Sticky Forest to remain a recreational asset for generations to come,” he said.