drones

[Don Fletcher <>]

Hi Adam, and everyone

 

Yes, evidently a new legal instrument was created relatively recently, under the Nature Conservation Act (2014) to require it.

 

I was told about it nearly two years ago when I happened to mention the possibility of using a drone to a Namadgi ranger.  So I approached the PCS Licencing unit and had no problem getting the required approval added to my existing research licence. Sweet.

 

There is a licence condition about disturbance to wildlife, which says:  ‘The operator of any aircraft must ensure that, as far as possible, wildlife is not disturbed by the operation of the aircraft. The aircraft operator must also ensure that wildlife is monitored during operations for any sign of disturbance, and that appropriate action is taken if any such sign is observed.’

 

cheers

 

 

From: Adam Spence <>
Sent: Sunday, 12 July 2020 5:51 PM
To: Don Fletcher <>
Cc: Danny McCreadie <>; Cog line <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] drones

 

Do you have a source on that, given the published ACT Government advice says otherwise?

 

On Sun, Jul 12, 2020 at 4:04 PM Don Fletcher <> wrote:

Drones are prohibited in Namadgi National Park without a NCA licence obtainable from ACT PCS.   Need to meet CASA rules also of course.

Cheers

 

 

 

From: Adam Spence <>
Sent: Sunday, 12 July 2020 1:33 PM
To: Danny McCreadie <>
Cc: Cog line <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] drones

 

Drone use is hard to enforce, but seems such a minor issue. Most users I see follow the rules.

 

The vast majority of issues I see in wild areas are caused by illegal dumping and vehicle activity and illegal firearms use.

 

On Sun, 12 Jul 2020 at 3:32 am Danny McCreadie <> wrote:

The problem is the CASA site is about airspace and safety. You have to search other sites for other rules. The National Parks authorities have rules on their website. When I have challenged drone operators in National Parks they respond they are obeying CASA rules, which they can quote.

 

I had this issue at Morialta Falls in SA, when I saw 2 drones launched on the same day near a breeding pair of Peregrines. The local rangers stepped up patrols after I told them but their rules are pretty clear down there:

 

It is an offence to fly drones (remotely piloted aircraft) in South Australia's national parks, reserves and marine park restricted access zones without a permit. Permits are considered for scientific research and commercial filming.

 

NSW are bit more accommodating:

 

NPWS recognises that drones can sometimes be used in a park for recreational and commercial purposes that are unrelated to park management.

Flying drones in parks can impact visitors and disturb native animals. Drones can also dangerously interfere with fighting bushfires and other park management activities. Careful management of drone use is required to avoid these risks.

Drone users must get approval before launching, landing or operating a drone from within a park.

As you say someone, with authority, has to enforce the rules.

 

Danny

 

From: Martin Butterfield <>
Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2020 5:46 AM
To: sandra henderson <>
Cc: Cog line <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] drones

 

https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/rules/drone-safety-rules   Of course, trying to find someone to enforce the rules would be difficult.  

 

Martin Butterfield

http://franmart.blogspot.com.au/

https://mallacootaweatherwildlife.blogspot.com/

 

 

On Sat, 11 Jul 2020 at 05:34, Martin Butterfield <> wrote:

There are rules about how close they are allowed to be to people.  I shall try to find them.

Martin Butterfield

http://franmart.blogspot.com.au/

https://mallacootaweatherwildlife.blogspot.com/

 

 

On Sat, 11 Jul 2020 at 05:31, sandra henderson <> wrote:

is anyone else encountering these annoying machines? Both yesterday and today I've been birdwatching in public parks when someone has come along with a small drone. Yesterday it was a young person - maybe young teenager - using a drone at Point Hut Pond Park - and actually chasing a swamphen with it! The adult with this young person was on his phone the whole time, not watching what was going on.  Today it was a park in Macarthur, and almost as soon as I arrived there was a VERY noisy small drone being operated by a young man. The birds all took off in alarm - rosellas, cockatoos, noisy miners etc. I gave up and left. 

 

The ACT government apparently isn't responsible for drones in the ACT - CASA is, and there don't seem to be any rules about their use in places like suburban parks..

 

sandra h

 

 

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