Date:  29 November 2024

There will now be more certainty when applying for permission to fly a drone on conservation land, and the time it takes to get a permit is likely to be faster. 

DOC Director of Regulatory Systems Performance Siobhan Quayle says the Conservation Act 1987 requires any aircraft (including drones) taking off, landing, or hovering on conservation land to have a concession (permit). 

“Drones are useful and fun in many ways, but can have adverse effects on people and wildlife, which is why we require people to get a permit before using them on public conservation land. On average, DOC receives 320 drone concession applications per year. 

“The new process introduces a “traffic light system” which makes it easier for people to quickly understand where it is ok to fly a drone and where it is off limits.

“It groups conservation land into easily understandable categories where drone use is either allowed (green), not allowed except in exceptional circumstances (red), or requires further investigation (yellow).” 

Those who are granted a permit can operate at any conservation land that is in the allowed “Green Category”. The new system will provide clear and consistent expectations for operating a drone on conservation land so as to reduce the impact that drones have on other people and wildlife.

The term of a permit is also increasing from three months to a year.  This also means the fee is changing from $65 to $180 for applications in green and red categories. 

Applications in the orange category are in line with the standard non-notified concession pricing of $2065, which is consistent with previous pricing.

Under this new process, drone applications will no longer be accepted at local DOC offices or visitor centres. Applications can be made through the DOC website. Drone use on conservation land: Apply for permits

Background information

Drones are used on conservation land for various purposes, including recreational use (flying a drone for fun), commercial use (taking footage for television shows or feature films) or research use (surveying and monitoring wildlife populations).

These changes apply to any permit granted from 18 November 2024.

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