Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s), often referred to as drones, are achieving widespread popularity with recreational flyers who enjoy the photographic opportunities that can be captured by the high resolution imagery devices they carry.
Beyond recreational uses, UAV’s are also playing an emerging and important role in everyday work situations, where significant benefits and cost savings could be available from a wide-range of business applications.
Council’s Economic Development portfolio spokesperson Cr Greg Barnes, himself a recreational UAV pilot, said the potential for the use of UAV’s appears to be extensive.
“These craft can now be fitted with technology that provides exceptional visual reporting capability.
“The inspection of assets such as water and sewerage plants from an aerial perspective is time and labour efficient.
“Their use in mapping is invaluable and of course the safety aspects of using a mechanical device in situations where an element of danger could exist to a worker is also of massive benefit,” Cr Barnes said.
“Bundaberg Regional Council has taken a proactive step by hosting an information event and live demonstration for key staff members to showcase the potential for UAV use across the region.
“The event will be facilitated by V-TOL Aerospace and will encompass an information session on UAV technology as well as a live demonstration of an aerial survey of one of Council’s landfill sites.”
Cr Barnes said Council was mindful of the potential benefits the use of UAV technology could afford to a wide range of regional stakeholder groups and has issued invitations to relevant local stakeholders to attend the demonstration.
“Bundaberg Regional Council remains committed to exploring opportunities from the use of state of the art technology and drive financial and operational efficiencies.”
“The event is scheduled for Monday, May 25 and will be conducted from 8.30am until 4pm with an information session and weather permitting, will be followed by an aerial demonstration at the Qunaba Landfill site.
“Stakeholders who have a practical business use for UAV technology can express interest in attending by contacting business@bundaberg.qld.gov.au by May 20 to secure a reservation.”
Further information can be obtained by contacting Andrew Beckenhauer at business@bundaberg.qld.gov.au or phoning 1300 883 699.