He told several submitters at yesterday's 10-year plan hearing the council had expressed an interest in securing the privately-owned but unclaimed block.
The 50ha block of formerly Crown-owned forestry land is held under trust and administered by the Office of Treaty Settlements (OTS).
The land has a government valuation of more than $3.7 million and is awaiting an ancestry-tracking decision from the Maori Land Court to find its owner.
Identified as "Hawea Wanaka Substitute Land" under the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998, Plantation Forest has evolved into a network of cycle trails and walkways, largely created by mountain bike riders.
"[The council] has formally advised the Office of Treaty Settlements, Ngai Tahu Property and Land Information New Zealand about our interest in securing the land," Mr Geddes said.
About 350 individuals and community groups made submissions calling for the council to detail the attainment of continued access to Plantation Forest in the 10 year plan, after no provision was made in the draft.
Many want the council to buy the land, but because the future landowners are still to be identified, this is not possible.
The treaty office said the Plantation Forest would soon be privately owned and any acquisition by the council would need to be negotiated and agreed with the land's future owners.
Several members of Lake Wanaka Cycling Incorporated told the hearing yesterday about their passion for Plantation Forest, its reputation, and the huge benefits derived from what they viewed as a community asset.
