This summer marks the first season of gondola-assisted mountain biking in the Ben Lomond Forest, which was expected to be a huge drawcard for keen bikers.
The committee approved the Ben Lomond reserve strategic plan for mountain biking in September, and since then a management agreement had been drawn up between the council and Skyline which specified roles and responsibilities regarding track funding, development and maintenance.
District forester Briana O'Brien said the strategic plan had been updated after two public meetings with users and interested parties last year.
During discussion at the first public meeting in November, it was revealed there may be a need for a bike patrol or trail ambassador to operate within the forest, she said.
"As the bike park is under development and the first year is a trial, we have no funding for such a position.
"The [Queenstown Mountain Bike Club] has offered to organise a volunteer service to cover this position in the first year.
"The bike patrol will work with the council, the bike club, Skyline and emergency services to assist, inform and educate trail users.
"They will also act as the eyes and ears of the forest, looking out for riders and issues such as pirate track building."
The plan had also been updated to include sections on health and safety issues; a new trail map which removed obsolete trails; a mountain bikers' code and track-grading system; and track signs and evacuation points.
Forest-user-group meetings would be held every couple of months to get feedback on how everyone was interacting in the forest and address any issues or problems which might occur, Ms O'Brien said.
