Page 9 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 12 February 2019
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to reduce overshadowing impacts from development on Block 17 Section 3 Phillip, it is considered that no further action is necessary with regard to this petition.
Drone delivery trial—petition 23-18
By Mr Gentleman, Minister assisting the Chief Minister on Advanced Technology and Space Industries, dated 18 January 2019, in response to a petition lodged by Ms J Burch on 29 November 2018 concerning commercial drone delivery trials.
The response read as follows:
Dear Mr Duncan
Thank you for your letter of 29 November 2018 regarding petition No 23-18 lodged by Mrs Joy Burch MLA on behalf of certain residents of the ACT calling on the Assembly to cease the Wing Australia (Wing) drone delivery trial in Bonython ACT and any future drone delivery trials in the ACT.
The ACT Government has responded to many of the concerns identified in the petition previously. There has also been debate within the Assembly, and in November 2018 the Assembly resolved to hold an inquiry into drone delivery systems in the ACT.
Regarding the trial in Bonython, Wing are trialling an entirely new business model that utilises drones to deliver small parcels to residential dwellings. This trial provides an opportunity for the ACT and national regulators (including the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)) to learn about the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging delivery drone technology, including community concerns about noise, privacy and safety.
CASA is the entity responsible for regulating the safe operation of drones throughout Australia. CASA has provided Wing approval for the trial in Bonython under relevant Commonwealth Government aviation safety regulation.
The ACT Government’s role in the trial has been to facilitate a temporarily licence for the use of a site in Greenway for the take-off and storage of drones. This licence was issued 20 February 2018 and expires 15 February 2019. Wing have paid a commercial rate for this service. Wing have indicated that their service will conclude on, or prior to, 15 February 2019 and no extension to the current licence will be sought.
The ACT Government provides this licence as a form of business support that would see increased business investment in the ACT as well as provide a range of other opportunities including:
• fostering innovation and new business models in the ACT that contribute to the technology innovation ecosystem in the ACT;
• promoting further business investment in Canberra;
• engaging with technologies that can reduce: transport carbon dioxide emissions, road infrastructure use and traffic congestion; and increase the access to services and independence of some members of the community and region; and
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