Melton council has solved a mystery for one woman whose sleep was interrupted by the sound of a large drone buzzing above her Kurunjang home.
A Sunday lie-in was off for Leanne Fawcett after being woken before 8.30am on July 9 by the noisy aircraft being flown around outside. She said the operators told her husband they were conducting surveying for Melton council – but the couple feared something more sinister.
“Sunday of all days, we had a huge drone … flying over our home,” Ms Fawcett said. “My husband approached the people as this thing was so loud it sounded like a helicopter.
“There was no signage on the van, no barriers to stop public access to operator or the drone as he was landing it on the foot path directly opposite our home.
“Not notifying people with signage or letter drops to inform ratepayers of this kind of disturbance is not acceptable.
“With home invasions and break-ins on the rise lately, I think that council should be more sensitive.”
A council spokeswoman told
Star Weekly last week that Melton council workers were surveying for a new park.
“From time to time, council engages contractors to obtain remotely piloted aircraft footage of areas to be used for advocacy purposes,” the spokeswoman said. It was necessary to conduct the surveying in the morning to ensure there were few people around, she explained.
“Council ensures contractors have the appropriate insurance and registration as per the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s rules around commercially operating a remotely piloted aircraft.”
