Mount Iron Reserve Management Plan

Update - Thursday 02 May 2024

The Department of Conservation (DOC) and QLDC have signed a management agreement that applies to the DOC land at Mount Iron from 1 May 2024. It outlines that DOC will continue to undertake all statutory requirements e.g., Regional Pest Management Strategy requirements, reserve closures and management of commercial activities, as set out in the Conservation Act. QLDC has taken on day-to-day management of the site e.g., signage, track maintenance and carpark maintenance.

Update - Thursday 18 January 2024

We are pleased to share a snapshot summary of the community insights gathered through our early engagement to help inform a draft RMP for Mount Iron. These include a range of comments that came from our workshops and discussions with the community.

• Mount Iron RMP Early Engagement Feedback Summary (PDF, 1MB)

You can also read through all the ideas shared on our online interactive map tool, letters from community groups and every piece of information gathered on ‘stickies’, in the raw data, on Let’s Talk.

It’s evident through the feedback there is a great deal of knowledge about flora and fauna (and pests) in the community, and Mount Iron is valued for convenient access to outdoor exercise/wellness and views.

Thanks again to everyone who took part in this part of the process for the Mount Iron Draft Reserve Management Plan (RMP). Drafting the RMP is underway and there will be future opportunities to read it and make formal submissions when it is shared for public consultation later this year.

A Reserve Management Plan (RMP) is a document prepared under the Reserves Act 1977. It sets out a plan for how Council intends to provide for and ensure the use, enjoyment, maintenance, protection, and preservation of a reserve. It details all the rules and regulations to act as a guide for Council officers in making both day-to-day decisions, as well as long-term decisions about how reserves and open spaces under its control are to be used, managed, or developed.

Creation of a Reserve Management Plan for the publicly owned land on Mount Iron and Little Mount Iron is a critical step following its purchase, and will provide ample opportunity for the Upper Clutha community to share how it wants Mount Iron managed in the future.

In September and October 2023, we reached out to groups, organisations, and interested members of the community across Wānaka and the Upper Clutha to hear what they love about Mount Iron, how they’d like to use the area in the future, and what they’re keen to protect. These early insights are now helping to guide the development of a RMP and support a shared vision for how this iconic landscape can be enjoyed by all.

• Mt Iron Acquisition Timeline (PDF, 40KB)

All tracks and trails on Mount Iron and Little Mount Iron are now under QLDC management including those on neighbouring Department of Conservation (DOC) land.  This follows an agreement with Department of Conservation (DOC) in May 2024 to transfer the day-to-day management of the DOC land to QLDC. This means Council is responsible for the maintenance of these routes including track upkeep, signage and safety notifications to the public.

If you’re planning to explore the area, we ask that you please stick to the public walking tracks and take note of signage identifying privately owned property.

Please note that no new developments will be allowed on the site until the community has had a chance to provide feedback on the future use of Mount Iron Recreation Reserve through the RMP process.

Biking is only allowed around the bottom of Mount Iron between Anderson Road and Old Racecourse Road on shared pathways. No mountain biking or access to the top of Mount Iron by bike is allowed.

If you'd like to be kept up to date with the latest information on how Council's management plan for Mount Iron is proceeding, we've created a newsletter to share information on the project every six weeks.

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