Concern that handing over ownership of the Dunedin City Council's Harbour Cone block to a trust could lead to charges for users has been raised in submissions on governance of the land.
How the 328ha block, bought by the council for $2.6 million in 2008, will be governed is yet to be settled.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said staff were collating the various options for governance.
The Harbour Cone steering group, which has both community and council representatives, would consider these and eventually make a recommendation to the council.
Nine of the 41 submissions received by the council on the draft management plan for the property discussed proposed governance.
Forest Environment Ltd prepared the draft management plan as if the area was a reserve managed by the council, although no decision has been made on this.
Broad Bay residents Ian and Lala Frazer suggested a recreation reserve might be the most appropriate designation for the land.
This would not exclude areas of significant conservation value from being further protected, with covenants which might attract assistance with fencing costs.
They opposed ownership passing to an existing or specially created charitable trust because they considered all such organisations were struggling "with limited sources of funding available, especially for staffing, but also resources generally".
Inevitably, grants alone would not be sufficient and user charges would be sought, leading to the possibility of exclusivity.
"Dunedin ratepayers could find themselves no longer able to use all or part of the property recreationally."
The council needed to accept the fact it was a highly popular reserve and that it would need to continue to provide base funding annually, while still encouraging outside groups to fund their particular projects.
A management committee, including some representatives with expertise relevant to the block, should oversee activities on the block.
A Friends of Hereweka/ Harbour Cone group, with the ability to apply for grants, could work alongside it.
Save the Otago Peninsula (Stop), in its submission, said the property was a superb asset for the city and legal protection in perpetuity for the community was crucial to safeguard the property for future generations.
The most appropriate protection would be to gazette the entire property as a reserve.
This would mean the council would continue to own the property on behalf of the community and provide regular levels of expenditure for basic maintenance.
Broad Bay residents Tessa and Vic Mills also considered the ownership should stay with the council, as buying the "iconic piece of land" was "a feather in your cap".
Management should be by a board encompassing a variety of groups with an interest in the place and its uses.
"It needs someone in overall control, with good oversight and foresight, who can co-ordinate the efforts of the groups, organise the funds and keep projects moving along."
Paul Pope, of Portobello, was one of several submitters who suggested a partnership similar to the one the council has with the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust at the Okia Reserve on the Otago Peninsula.
The Otago Conservation Board strongly recommended the property be protected as a community asset in perpetuity by setting it apart as a reserve under the Reserves Act.
It suggested the establishment of a management board, with up to six members drawn from community representatives with governance and technical expertise in tourism, marketing, weed control, farm management and ecological restoration.
Members should be appointed by the council for a three-year term but could offer themselves for reappointment.
