Rangitīkei District Council adopts new drone policy

Known as the Operating Unmanned Aerial Systems (drones) on Council Owned and Administrated Land Policy, it covers all Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), including model aircraft, and sets out where users of such systems have permission to use them above our land. Provided they comply with New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rules, users are given permission to use drones over Council land, except in the following locations:

• Over Council cemeteries, playgrounds, and the Tutaenui Reservoir;
• Over Council land that contains buildings and facilities, including office buildings, libraries, pools, transfer stations, water and wastewater treatment plants, and community housing;
• Over roads, including roads in parks and reserve

Special permission may be granted to those who have a specific request to fly over any of the above locations and will be granted at Council’s discretion.

Drones are becoming more popular with recreational users which causes a potential risk to aircraft in the busy airspace around the southern Rangitīkei District, due to the proximity of Base Ōhakea to our border. The aim of the policy is to provide guidance on the CAA rules and RDC’s code of conduct for flying drones above our land.

Those who operate drones are encouraged to log their flight information into AirShare and Flight Advsior.

Anyone who has concerns about drone use over Council land should be reported to Council for us to investigate. However, if you have concerns about illegal drone use, CAA should be contacted in the first instance.

The policy only relates to where drones can be used above Council land, so if drone users would like to fly over private property they must request the permission of the owner. Concerns about drones being used over private property can be raised with the CAA and Privacy Commissioner. Safety concerns should be reported to the Police.

Operating Unmanned Aerial Systems (drones) on Council Owned and Administrated Land Policy