Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Jessica Brown

Police confirm further drone breaches in Williamtown airspace

Police have confirmed additional incidents of illegal drone activity at Newcastle Airport and the Williamtown RAAF base.

Reports of unauthorised drones are attended by local police in the first instance, before the investigation into the security breach is expanded.

A spokesperson for NSW Police confirmed to the Newcastle Herald that local officers have been called out to multiple reports of illegal drone activity in both July and August.

Police have confirmed additional incidents of illegal drone activity at Newcastle Airport and the Williamtown RAAF base. Picture by Marina Neil

IN OTHER NEWS:

"Police responded to assist RAAF Williamtown in relation to reports of unauthorised Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) activity," the spokesperson said.

"NSW Police is working with Australian Defence Force and partner agencies in an attempt to identify the UAS and pilots."

It is an offence to fly UAS in a "manner that creates a hazard to aircraft operations or within restricted airspace". Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can issue an infringement notice up to $1820 per offence. For more serious offences, court-imposed penalties may be up to $18,200.

Earlier this month Defence Industries Minister Pat Conroy said he had been briefed that over a couple of days in July there was UAS activity over the airport.

He said he had two meetings with Newcastle Airport where the incidents were also raised.

Police have also confirmed, that as of August 20, no one has been arrested or charged in relation to these incidents.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.