It’s the buzzing noise that accompanies Joanne Jones as she sets off on her daily exercise.
It’s not the birds or the bees causing the racquet. Instead the buzzing is from a man made machine- a drone.
As a regular user of Scarborough Park she said the use of drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, has significantly increased over the past two years.
In one instance she was almost hit by a drone as she started her run under some trees.
She said the owner only laughed at her when she complained.
In another instance her back door was broadcast online after a drone captured her backyard as part of a real estate advertisement for a neighbouring property.
‘’I personally feel we’re putting too much importance on technology,’’ she said.
‘’It’s a privacy issue. It can be used as a surveillance tool any way you like.
‘’You hear stories of people almost being hit- it’s dangerous.’’
She said the issue would only get worse with news that Domino's is looking to conduct drone delivery trials in Australia.
Ms Jones is calling on Bayside Council to introduce a drone policy to help enforce the rules locally.
‘’We need to feel safe when we go into open spaces,’’ she said.
‘’I don’t think the issue should be fobbed off anymore.’’
In 2015 the former Leichhardt Council proposed a ban on drones in public parks and playgrounds out of safety and privacy concerns.
However, it was never adopted because of council amalgamations.
A Bayside Council spokeswoman said they had only received one complaint about drone use.
‘’Council has jurisdiction over public land, however council cannot regulate the use of airspace,’’ she said.
She said the Civil Aviation Safety Authority was in charge of regulating the aircraft.
The debate on the future of drones isn’t new.
Three years ago a House of Representatives committee report found that drones, like any new technology could be misused.
‘’The challenge we face is to realise the potential of this innovative technology while protecting against its risks,’’ the report said.
It recommended introducing measures to protect the privacy of Australians against drones.
Since then very little has been done.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, the government organisation responsible, simply cannot monitor every privately operated drone.
So far six fines for drone regulation breaches have been issued his year.
Only 11 were given last year.
That’s despite a huge increase in drone sales with basic models selling for under $100.
A CASA spokesman said they do need evidence to be able to issue a fine. That includes who was flying the drone and witness statements or photos or video.
Ms Jones that’s almost impossible with drones often manned by people out of sight.
What are the rules on drones?
Recreational use of drones
- No night flying
- No flying in or through cloud or fog
- Be able to see the aircraft with your own eyes at all times
- You must not fly closer than 30 metres to vehicles, boats, buildings or people.
- You must not fly over populous areas such as beaches, heavily populated parks, or sports ovals while they are in use.
- In controlled airspace, which covers most Australian cities, you must not fly higher than 120 metres above the ground.
- You must not fly in a way that creates a hazard to other aircraft, so you should keep at least 5.5 km away from airfields, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites.
- You must not fly over prohibited / restricted area.
An app is available to tell drone users where it is safe to fly.
CASA’s Can I Fly There? smartphone application shows where it is safe to fly drones, and has information on other drone use regulations.
