News

Proposed areas to restrict model aircraft including drone use without a permit

8 September 2021

Council will consider permit requirements to operate a model aircraft (including a drone) in 25 environmental sensitive areas within Bayside at its 14 September 2021 meeting.

When Bayside’s Local Law was adopted in June 2021, Council also asked for a report proposing areas to restrict the use of model aircraft (including drones) due to concerns with their potential impact on wildlife in environmentally sensitive areas.

The report is available to view in the September meeting agenda on page 43. It is proposed that any permits issued for this activity in these areas would contain conditions designed to protect sensitive flora and fauna, and the permits would allow Council to restrict model aircraft from a specific area should a species of note be found to be nesting or commonly roosting. A fee of $30 is recommend to cover the administrative costs of issuing permits.

Where would permits be required?

The report identifies 25 areas of Council land considered to be of significant environmental importance. A list of the locations is below.

  • Beaumaris Foreshore – north
  • Black Rock – south
  • Brighton Dunes
  • Picnic Point
  • Red Bluff
  • Ricketts Point Hinterland
  • Sandringham Foreshore – south
  • Balcombe Park
  • Bay Road Heathland Sanctuary
  • Cheltenham Park Flora and Fauna Reserve
  • Donald McDonald Reserve
  • George Street Reserve
  • Gramatan Avenue Heathland Sanctuary
  • Long Hollow Heathland
  • Foreshore adjacent to Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary
  • Cheltenham Park
  • Cheltenham Recreation Reserve
  • Shipston Reserve
  • Merindah Park
  • Jetty Road surrounds
  • Elsternwick Park Nature Reserve
  • Elsternwick Park – south and Lakeside Green
  • Highett Grassy Woodland
  • Tulip Street Reserve and pond
  • Pobblebonk Pond

Find out more

The Council meeting will be livestreamed from 6.30pm on 14 September 2021 and available as a recording. You can read the meeting agenda here. Interested members of the community can ask a question to the meeting or submit a written statement in response to the agenda item.