The draft plan was originally expected to be notified this month, but would now most likely be notified in March/April next year, Queenstown Lakes District Council operations general manager Ruth Stokes said.
''Given the extent of the reserves covered and the volume of suggestions and initial input received, staff are preparing to brief the new council and Wanaka Community Board before engaging with key stakeholders and finalising a draft.''
Mrs Stokes said the induction process for newly-elected board members and councillors had contributed to the delay.
''I think possibly the team underestimated the time that would take and hadn't factored that into the programme planning.''
The council had sought input on a reserve management plan for all council reserves along the Lake Wanaka foreshore, from Glendhu Bay to the Outlet Camp.
Submissions closed in September.
