Council takes to the air for high-tech planning help

A council in rural New South Wales is taking a technological approach to cut costs and boost productivity, bringing in a drone to help with a range of services.

The Singleton Council has commissioned the services of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV or ‘drone’) to fly over livestock markets and public infrastructures for planning and development purposes.

The airborne robot is equipped with cameras and GPS systems for taking a range of images, including 3D topographical scans.

The Council has lined up a broad range of tasks.

The drone will fly over the local livestock markets for an accurate head count and movement assessment for planning future upgrades.

It will scan the local tip and measure the size of the garbage mound to gauge compaction rates and landfill arrangements.

The UAV will reportedly fulfil other tasks including water infrastructure monitoring.

Singleton is an early adopter of technology that is gaining widespread use. Many expect regional councils and others in charge of large geographical areas to employ the highly capable and mobile UAV as a tool for the future.

There are some hazards though, Singleton Council land and information co-ordinator Graham Avard says.

“Wedge tailed eagles… they’re very fond to attack whenever the drones or the UAVs invade their airspace,” he told the ABC.