The Northern Territory’s drone industry is taking flight and public feedback is now being sought to identify possible opportunities and inform the Territory Government’s policy position on the future development of the industry.
The global drones market is forecast to grow to US$43 billion by 2025, with the Asia-Pacific being one of the fastest-growing regions. This presents an opportunity for the Territory Government to secure some of this exponential growth and expand local industry’s capacity and capability.
The Northern Territory is uniquely positioned to grow a specialised drone industry, providing the perfect location to test drone-based solutions in remote settings and extreme environmental conditions.
A direction paper has now been released for public consultation that identifies four priority opportunities for government and industry to work together:
- Delivery: The delivery of planned and ad-hoc supplies to remote areas (e.g. medical and food supplies)
- Operations and logistics: Weed management and biocontrol
- Data and analytics: Enabling data sharing and publically available data
- Pre-commercial testing and R&D: The establishment of a commercial drone research and testing facility (including beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS)).
Minister for Digital and Corporate Development, the Hon. Paul Kirby, said the drones industry has the potential to deliver direct jobs and investment for the Territory, while boosting some of its key industries and improving important services to Territorians.
“Industries that would benefit from drone technology include health, defence, agribusiness, maritime, mines and energy, as well as fire and disaster management,” he said.
“The Territory is uniquely placed with its location, geography and climate and there is a clear opportunity for the Territory to engage in the fast-growing drones market and be at the forefront of innovation.”
Territorians, businesses and industry are encouraged to provide their feedback via Have Your Say haveyoursay.nt.gov.au/nt-drones-policy
The survey closes Tuesday, 17 August.
