The report by the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourismof the ACT Legislative Assembly on Drone Delivery Systems in the ACT (in essence privileging the Wing subsidiary of Alphabet, the parent of platform conglomerate Google) features the following recommendations -
1 The Committee recommends that Access Canberra increase the amount of information on its website about Wing operations, including a direct link to the CASA exemption (CASA EX40/19) and to the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development’s review of drone noise regulation.
2 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide information to the Australian Information Privacy Commissioner to assist her in considering the benefits of, or need to place restrictions on, the collection by commercial delivery drones of the personal information of non-users.
3 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government and Wing collaborate to establish an independent comparative survey of wildlife numbers and behaviour in a suburb prior to, then following the commencement of, drone delivery operations.
4 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government proactively engage with the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development’s review, drawing on the experience of the ACT community in drone delivery trials.
The report reflects the Assembly's resolution:
That:
(1) the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism inquire into and report on drone delivery systems in the ACT, with particular reference to:
(a) the decision to base the trials of the technology in the ACT and surrounding region;
(b) the economic impact of drone delivery technology being tested in the ACT including the:
(i) investment that has been brought in to the Territory;
(ii) number of jobs that have been created as part of the trial; and
(iii) extent of collaboration with local industry and academic institutions;
(c) the extent of regulatory oversight of drone technology at various levels of government including but not limited to:
(i) local authorities such as the Environment Protection Authority, Worksafe and Access Canberra; and
(ii) Commonwealth agencies such as Air Services Australia and Civil Aviation Safety Authority;
(d) the extent of any environmental impact as a result of trialling drone delivery technology on:
(i) residents within the trial area;
(ii) native wildlife;
(iii) domestic animals; and
(iv) greenhouse gas emissions;
(e) ways to improve the use of drone delivery technology within the ACT;
(f) any other relevant matter; and
(g) information privacy
