CTV / The Press – 17 March 2016 | Council Drone Policy

A Christchurch drone operator says a proposed weight restriction on machines will cause “a lot of tears and bureaucratic process”.

The Christchurch City Council is likely to take a “conservative approach” to its new drones policy to allow people to get used to the increasing presence of the hovering machines.

A report from council staff recommends the council allows drones that weigh less than one kilogram to be flown in permitted parks and reserves without needing consent, providing certain noise and privacy conditions were met.

The proposed policy allowed for case-by-case decisions to fly larger drones, but said the weight restriction would minimise the risk of injury if a drone was to hit someone.

Jared Waddams​, owner of Christchurh’s Helicam Pro, said the most popular drone model, the DJI Phantom, weighed 1.3kg.

“I’m sure there’s been no research behind this proposed 1kg restriction.

“They need to increase it to 1.5kg, like the Auckland City Council, to save themselves a lot of tears and bureaucratic process.”

Waddams would make a deputation to the council’s strategy and finance committee at Thursday’s meeting on behalf of about 500 “multi-rotor enthusiasts”.

He did not believe the council could cope with the amount of flight requests it would receive. Three requests lodged by his company over the last four months had gone unanswered.

Towards the end of last year the council received an average of 47 applications to fly drones each month. Most were from drone enthusiasts, but a growing number were from commercial operators to fly over roads and buildings for filming, mapping and recording.

The proposed policy would not allow the council to consent drone flights over roads or buildings.

“This option is a conservative approach to allow the public to get used to drones and test the approval process to uncover any problems with it and because the technology is changing fast,” the report said.

Under the proposal drones could not be flown without consent at garden or heritage parks, cemeteries, within 20 metres of outdoor public pools and playgrounds, over public beaches or over sensitive wildlife on council land, including Brooklands Lagoon, Travis Wetland, Lake Ellesmere and the Groynes.