The Queenstown Lakes District Council is working towards a finalised Mt Iron Trail Plan which would clearly outline future trails on a special part of the Upper Clutha area.
The plan will have separate mountainbike trails as well as a revised map showing new entrances to different trails.
After buying 100ha of land on Mt Iron in 2021, the QLDC set out to outline the long-term use of the reserve in a draft released last year.
The Mt Iron Reserve Management Plan was approved in April despite some submitters expressing concerns that cycling trails would be harmful to those who enjoy walking up the mountain.
A proposed timeline was presented by the council parks team to the Upper Clutha Community Board recently which would aim to complete the trail plan between December 2025 and February 2026.
Board chairman Simon Telfer expressed concern that the council’s timeline was too ambitious.
"Just a lot of compliance matters, a lot of consultation, a lot of the ecological plan has to be done and consultation with Iwi," he said.
"We’ve got Christmas in the middle of that, I just don’t think it’s realistic to feel that the trail plan will be ready by February."
Bike Wanaka, who had been heavily involved in formulating the trail plan also presented at the board meeting, saying the timeline was very tight and would likely take much longer to implement.
Group member Ian Greaves proposed the revitalisation of existing Mt Iron mountainbike trails and developing a new climbing track along sections of the current 4WD route as they await the completion of the full trail plan.
"There would be very limited new trail construction," he said.
"The trail plan is going to take time and there’s a large and enthusiastic mountainbiking community ready and waiting to ride on Mt Iron again."
The parks team also sought feedback on whether the plan would need further community consultation.
Most board members agreed there was no need for more involvement as long as the plan was clearly communicated to the public.
"I think we run the risk of getting far too many people with far too many ideas," member Chris Hadfield said.
Board members Linda Joll and Barry Bruce said continuous engagement with the community was still important leading up to the finalised trail plan.
"If we don’t bring the community with us, we risk losing that goodwill of the Mt Iron Reserve Management Plan," Mr Bruce said.
