The draft Mount Iron reserve management plan is another step closer to completion but it will be December before the plan is heard.
The draft plan will be publicly notified next month for two months, before a hearings panel, comprising Wānaka councillors Barry Bruce and Lyal Cocks and Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board member Chris Hadfield, make final recommendations to the council for approval.
The Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board approved both the notification and panel nominations at its meeting on Thursday.
The draft plan was created this year following several public workshops and initial feedback campaigns last year, to which more than 600 people responded.
Kāi Tahu is continuing to work on the iwi’s feedback regarding the values of Mount Iron, so board chairman Simon Telfer will review the draft plan once Kāi Tahu’s feedback arrives.
Mr Telfer said he "completely supported mana whenua values" but the board needed to be sure all people understood what they were and did not remain a "general unknown".
Senior parks adviser Kat Banyard said Kāi Tahu had not identified any specific areas of cultural value on Mount Iron "but they are working on that".
Cr Quentin Smith said he would be concerned if the entire mountain was identified as having cultural values, limiting opportunities for recreational development.
Cr Smith, Mr Telfer and fellow board member John Wellington also asked council staff to clarify access points to Little Mount Iron so people could consider them during the submission period.
Mr Wellington understood the Great Ride route would be extended into Wānaka in the near future and the track around the base of Mount Iron had been identified as the preferred route.
Mr Telfer asked Ms Banyard how public submissions could be made.
She said staff would draw up specific questions that people could answer. There would also be opportunities for general feedback.
"We got such a wide variety of views in the initial feedback we need to know if [the draft plan has] have landed in the right place," Ms Banyard said.
Reserve plan timeline
September 19: QLDC to approve public notification of Mount Iron draft reserve management plan on September 19
September 23-November 29: Public submissions period
December: Hearing — date to be decided
