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The Queenstown Lakes District Council is calling on the Wānaka and Upper Clutha community to share their ideas for how they want to use, enjoy and manage the Mount Iron Recreation Reserve.
Council community services general manager Kenneth Bailey said staff were working to develop a draft reserve management plan for the local landmark, and public insight was vital to planning how the recently acquired land should be used, managed and preserved.
"As the new proud owners and guardians of this cherished and popular place, it’s really important we hear from different groups and people from across our community to understand their future vision for Mt Iron and Little Mt Iron," he said.
"We want to know what it is you love about the area, what you’d like to see made available on the reserve, and what we as council need to protect and maintain to ensure this space continues to play a significant part in the community’s recreational and ecological aspirations."
Early thoughts shared by the community would help guide the development of the draft reserve management plan for the Mount Iron Recreational Reserve, the council said.
Several community engagement sessions were also planned for later this month and early next month for those interested in talking to council’s parks and reserves staff in person and exploring what it was they valued most about Mt Iron.
Reserve management plans were used by council to detail the rules and regulations for different public spaces, and help with day-to-day and long-term decisions on how reserves and open spaces were used, managed and developed.
Community insights would then be reviewed and considered before a draft reserve management plan was shared with the public in May next year.
"Now is the perfect time to get involved in the process and tell us your ideas both big and small.
"I’d encourage everyone in Wānaka and the Upper Clutha to set aside a few minutes of their day to join the conversation about Mt Iron — what it is now and what it could be in the future," Mr Bailey said.
Submissions close at 5pm on November 20.