The POLAIR Remote drone program will continue operating in Moree for another two years.
Moree’s Australian-first remotely operated police drone trial will continue for another two years, keeping the technology in place to support local police.
The two drones operating in Moree will remain part of the POLAIR Remote program following the NSW Government’s decision to extend the trial. Northern Tablelands MP Brendan Moylan welcomed the announcement after previously calling for the technology to stay in Moree.
The drones are remotely piloted by NSW Police Aviation Command officers based at Bankstown Airport. They can be launched to assist local officers responding to incidents, giving police aerial vision and real-time information from across Moree.
Mr Moylan said the technology had proved valuable to local police and had helped drive down property offences while providing officers on the ground with real-time intelligence.
“The success of this drone trial belongs to Moree,” Mr Moylan said.
“Our local police have embraced this technology, our community has backed it, and Council has been a constructive partner every step of the way and the Minister has listened.”
While Mr Moylan has linked the drones to a reduction in property offences, the NSW Government says a formal evaluation of the program’s operational effectiveness is still underway.
Community feedback released by the Government showed strong support for the technology. Of 516 people surveyed, 83 per cent believed drones enhanced public safety and 82 per cent were positive or very positive about their use.
The survey found 78 per cent believed the drones had improved emergency response times, while 76 per cent reported high or very high trust in police use of drones. Three-quarters said the presence of the drones made them feel safer or much safer, and 85 per cent reported no perceived negative impact.
Moree became the testing ground for the Australian-first POLAIR Remote program earlier this year, when two drones began operating as part of the initial trial.
Moree Online News reported on the program when it was announced in January and has followed its progress, including calls for the technology to remain beyond the original trial period.
Mr Moylan stepped up those calls following the NSW Budget in June, saying he wanted the Moree program made permanent and rolled out across the Northern Tablelands electorate.
He has also pursued another question: how much does it cost?
Mr Moylan raised the cost of the program with the State Government through questions in Parliament. In its latest response, received on July 30, the Government said the total cost of the trial had not yet been finalised.
The latest announcement gives the program another two years in Moree, while the Government considers rolling the technology out to other regional areas.
Mr Moylan thanked local police, Moree residents, Moree Plains Shire Council and Police Minister Yasmin Catley for their involvement.
“Moree has shown what’s possible when new technology is paired with strong local leadership and community support,” he said.
“I’m proud of what our region has achieved, and I look forward to seeing this program continue to grow.”
