I WAS hanging out a load of washing in my backyard recently when I heard what sounded like a large swarm of bees.
I looked up and was surprised instead to see a small drone with a camera hovering directly overhead.
I live on a 5-acre (2ha) bush block where the nearest house is about 70 metres away.
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The aerial intruder appeared to have approached from the opposite direction, stopped to hover over the rear of my house and then flew off to land out of sight on the far side of my neighbour’s property.
I texted my neighbour to ask if it was his and got the reply “Yep. Won’t happen again. Just trying out for holiday shots”.
I later learnt that it is illegal under federal aviation law to fly a drone less than 30m from other people (this one looked closer) or over or above other people’s heads.
Drones are classed as aircraft and it is illegal to shoot at them.
Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority says to check if shire councils have adopted local laws to protect owners of private property from aerial intrusion.
I suggest this is something our Shire of Toodyay should consider doing.
Name and address withheld
