The latest information on Mount Iron Recreation Reserve in Wānaka.
Welcome to our latest newsletter about Mount Iron Recreation Reserve in Wānaka.
Latest news: Council takes over
track maintenance across Mount Iron
You may notice a few new signs popping up on Mount Iron in the coming months as we switch out Department of Conservation (DOC) signage with Council ones. This follows a recent agreement to transfer the day-to-day management of DOC land to QLDC, meaning all tracks and trails on Mount Iron and Little Mount Iron will now be maintained by Council.
Being responsible for the maintenance of these routes includes things like track upkeep, signage and safety notifications to the public. So, if you spot something that needs attention while out wandering the trails, let us know by using the Snap Send Solve app and QLDC can help ‘fix it’. For more options to submit a 'fix it' request, either online or by contacting our friendly customer services team, head to https://www.qldc.govt.nz/do-it-online/contact-us-fix-it/
Progress update: Developing the draft Reserve Management Plan
The Parks team is making good headway on drafting the Reserve Management Plan (RMP) for Mount Iron, drawing on the feedback provided through early community engagement in October and November 2023.
The Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board plans to review the draft RMP in July 2024 and it will be shared for public consultation throughout August and September.
Keep an eye out for the latest news on our website at QLDC - Mount Iron Reserve Management Plan
Mount Iron Reserve improvements along SH84
The final touches on the new shared pathway along the bottom of Mount Iron have been completed with the painting of the symbol at the entrance to the Mount Iron carpark. It’s great to see the shared pathway being so well used by walkers and cyclists. It provides an important connection between existing cycleways on that side of SH84.
You’ll also see the fence that runs parallel to SH84 between the Mount Iron carpark and Anderson Road has been removed. The fence was in a poor state and is no longer needed due to it being a public reserve. Its removal will improve people’s enjoyment of this important entrance to Wānaka. Please note, a further tidy up of the area will be carried out in the coming weeks.
The fences in the reserve off Rob Roy Lane (see map) have also been removed to connect this area with the wider reserve. You can now walk through from this part of Rob Roy Lane to the wider Mount Iron Reserve.
Spotlight on pest control
Predator trapping
The Wānaka Backyard Trapping group continues to monitor the 77 predator traps installed alongside trails on Mount Iron and Little Mount Iron. They’re targeting rats, possums, and mustelids to protect skinks and birdlife in the reserve. In April, three possums and five rats were trapped.
With a roster of six keen volunteers, it’s great to have Little Mount Iron as part of the groups greater vision of creating a pest-free corridor through the native kānuka forest from the banks of the Clutha River up to Hikuwai DOC Reserve, across both Little and Big Mount Iron.
A big thank you to this group for their ongoing hard work to protect biodiversity in this area.
Broom clearance
QLDC contractors will carry out pest plant removal in the next couple of weeks with the focus being removal of broom and some wilding pine in the locations highlighted within red areas outlined on the map.
Wilding pine working bees
Upper Clutha Wilding Tree Group have held several working bees on Mount Iron and Little Mount Iron with a small group of trained volunteers. The latest round of work tackled smaller wilding conifers mainly Douglas fir and one Pinus nigra on the face of Mount Iron pinpointed on the map.
Thanks to all involved. It was difficult terrain full of bush lawyer, briar and matagouri, so being able to remove those trees was a great effort.
Reminder: No bikes on summit track
We’ve heard about a number of people biking up Mount Iron. A reminder that bikes are not allowed on the track to the top of Mount Iron. Biking is only allowed around the bottom of Mount Iron between Anderson Road and Old Racecourse Road.
Have a question or keen to find out more?
We’re happy to answer questions you may have about the Mount Iron Reserve Management Plan, and we’ve got an online Q&A portal available on our Let's Talk page. Check out the questions others have submitted and the answers, or ask your own question here. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
For more details on this project, head to Let's Talk or the QLDC webpage.
