The latest information on Mount Iron Recreation Reserve in Wānaka.
Welcome to our latest newsletter about Mount Iron Recreation Reserve in Wānaka.
Mount Iron: Park and Ride for A&P Show
The Wānaka A&P Show kicks off today! You may be aware that the show will be using the bottom of Mount Iron as a Park and Ride over Friday and Saturday so expect the area to be a lot busier than normal. This won't affect any of the tracks on Mount Iron.
The Park and Ride will be operating in the grass area at the bottom of Mount Iron alongside the Wānaka-Luggate Highway, near the Three Parks roundabout and will include the main Mount Iron carpark. You can find out more info on how to get to the show here: www.wanakashow.co.nz/show-visitors/parking
If you’re driving to Mount Iron to walk the trails while the show is on, please use alternative parking in the carpark opposite Puzzling World or in the Allenby Place carpark. Thanks for your understanding during this time.
Shared pathway now open!
We are delighted to share the three metre-wide shared pathway between Anderson Road and the Three Parks roundabout is now open and ready for people to use. This is an exciting new pathway along the Wānaka-Luggate Highway 84 that will provide more opportunities for safe walking and cycling and will connect existing pathways in the area.
Thank you for your patience while the main Mount Iron carpark was closed during the build. Please note the carpark will likely be closed for another day in early April for the markings at the entrance to the carpark to be completed.
Big thanks to New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi who have funded and built this new pathway.
Progress on draft Reserve Management Plan
Drafting the Reserve Management Plan (RMP) for Mount Iron is well underway, guided by the community feedback provided through the early engagement in October and November 2023.
Next steps are for the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board to review the draft RMP and approve it for public consultation. This is expected to happen by May 2024 but we’ll keep you updated as we progress. Keep an eye out for the latest news here and on our website: www.qldc.govt.nz/mount-iron-reserve-management-plan.
A reminder that a snapshot summary of the insights gathered through our early engagement is available to read here: Mount Iron Recreation Reserve Management Plan | Let’s Talk Queenstown Lakes District Council (qldc.govt.nz).
Update on Environmental Monitoring sensors
As part of our work to reduce the risk and support our communities to prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change, we’ve been working with Spark New Zealand and Attentis Technology to trial cutting-edge technology to monitor conditions within Mount Iron Reserve.
Five pole-mounted sensors have been installed around the reserve and are now operational.
The environmental data from these sensors will provide:
Thermal and visual imaging to detect fire starts, re-ignitions, hot spots, fire movements and changes in conditions.
Micro-climate information including data on wind speed, wind direction, temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure and rainfall.
Air quality data including levels of particulate matter PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 including pollen, dust, smoke and other particulates that can affect people’s respiratory health.
You can find out more about the project at www.qldc.govt.nz/environmental-monitoring-system
Predator traps working well
The Wānaka Backyard Trapping group have now installed 77 predator traps on Mount Iron and Little Mount Iron which you may notice near trails. They’ve been targeting rats, possums, and mustelids to protect skinks and birdlife in the reserve. They’ve caught 8 possums and 1 rat in 2024 so far.
Thanks to this group for all their predator control efforts to support a thriving biodiversity on Mount Iron.
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.
