More suburbs in Canberra's north will be able to get household items delivered by drone, after delivery company Wing had its approvals to fly extended by the federal transport department.
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The Google-linked company, which had been able to deliver food, coffee and chemist items to participating homes, can now expand out to residents in Harrison.
The company was granted approval by the department earlier this year to fly its drones to 100 homes in Crace, Palmerston and Franklin until July 31 this year, following an earlier trial in Bonython.
The approval was extended on Thursday to run until January 31, 2020, coinciding with the authority's announcement of the expansion to Harrison.
Wing's head of Australian operations, Terrance Bouldin-Johnson, said the expansion into Harrison would start with an Early Flyer program, delivering to a small number of eligible homes.
"Wing Early Flyers in Harrison will gain exclusive access to our drone delivery system and get access to special promotions and events," Mr Bouldin-Johnson said.
"We're excited to connect with more local businesses in the Gungahlin area on how we can help them reach more customers faster, safer and more sustainably."
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The authority's decision has also meant the number of flights Wing can undertake each day from its base in Mitchell has also increased beyond the 100 homes in the initial license.
Wing can now fly drones an average of 40 times per day, per suburb, but only in daylight hours and not on public holidays.
The approval comes before the planned introduction of drone noise regulations by the federal transport department.
Wing has not been subject to territory or federal noise regulations as none exist.
A recent ACT Assembly inquiry into drones exposed significant gaps in the regulation of their use.
Noise testing has been carried out by the department on the drones operated by Wing during its roll out to Gungahlin earlier this year.
"Following noise testing of the Gungahlin operations in June 2019, the department has assessed the noise level produced by the drone at 69 decibels at 15 metres, with the deliver process being completed within 45 seconds," a department spokesman said.
"The department acknowledges that the drone has a particular pitch that would be different to other sounds experienced within a suburban environment.
"The department has imposed limits on the number of flights per day as part of the approval for operations."
Wing also announced this week it was expanding operations to Logan in Queensland, offering residents there delivery of food, coffee and medicine by drone.
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
