The latest information on Council's purchase of Mount Iron land in Wānaka.
Welcome to the sixth edition of Queenstown Lakes District Council's newsletter on its purchase of nearly 100 hectares of land around Mount Iron and Little Mount Iron
in Wānaka.
An update on the acquisition
We’re excited to announce that the 100 hectares of land on Mount Iron and Little Mount Iron is one step closer to coming into public ownership, with fencing around the site near completion and settlement on the land purchase expected in early May 2023.
When the fencing is finished, Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) will then be required to register and issue a new property title. This is likely to take between two to three weeks
to complete.
What's next for Mount Iron?
We plan to notify our intention to create a Reserve Management Plan (RMP) pursuant to Section 41 (5) Reserves Act 1977 for the area in June 2023. A Reserve Management Plan sets out 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 this site is a critical step following purchase and will provide ample opportunity for the Upper Clutha community to share how it would like to see Mount Iron managed in the future.
We’re really excited to hear from the many out there who cherish this location and to understand what it is you love about Mount Iron, what you want to see made available on the site, and what you want protected or maintained.
We’ll be sharing more details on how to get involved in the creation of a Reserve Management Plan for Mount Iron soon!
Help celebrate the opening
Once the purchase is complete, it’ll be time to celebrate our new publicly owned reserve! We’re planning to host an opening event for Mount Iron Recreation Reserve at the Allenby Place carpark entrance to the land, at a date to be confirmed in May 2023.
We’ll be sharing more details on the day and time soon so you can mark it down in your calendar!
QLDC’s application for management of a further 52.8 hectares of reserve land adjacent to the current purchase and currently governed by Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) remains in progress.
We’ll provide updates when we have more to share!
Important reminders for the use of Mount Iron and Little Mount Iron
Mount Iron will continue to be able to be used as it always has been when Council’s purchase is complete, and when we begin work to create a Reserve Management Plan for the site.
Walking tracks from either side of Mount Iron remain open but no new developments will be allowed to the site until community feedback on an RMP has been
received and reviewed.
If you’re heading up Mount Iron or looking to explore the area, please stick to the public walking tracks and abide by signage along the way identifying where private property begins. Some sections of Mount Iron and Little Mount Iron
remain privately owned.
