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City of Joondalup to investigate launching and landing sites for drones

Tyler BrownJoondalup Times

THE City of Joondalup could become the first local government in WA to designate launching and landing sites for drones.

Mayor Albert Jacob requested a report at last month’s council meeting to identify potential sites within the City for recreational aerial drone usage.

He said he had been considering it for a while with drones becoming increasingly popular.

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“As a City which prides itself on education and innovation, facilitating drone usage in appropriately identified areas will help to position Joondalup to be seen in the broader community as friendly towards and at the forefront of this emerging technology,” the council document said.

He said he believed no other local government in WA had identified these areas and the aim would be to have them in picturesque locations appropriate for operation.

“One example could be the bottom of Ocean Reef Marina,” he said.

“It’s not really a swimming area, it’s well landscaped and it’s removed from homes.”

Mr Jacob said final locations should only be designated after community consultation and reiterated that once in the air, drone usage would continue to be regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.