General news
20 June, 2025
Drones flying over farms raise alarm
Crime syndicates using latest tech for rural crime
OVER the past four to six weeks, more and more landholders in the Bland Shire have been contacting this office regarding drones flying around their properties at all hours of the night.
Community members, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, have noticed drones surveying their land from dusk til dawn across the region as far back as Easter with no signs of abating.
From Jackson's Lane out towards Leeton, at least three landholders have contacted this office about illegal drone operations over their properties at all hours of the night and even into the day.
This office contacted the NSW Dept. of Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water as well as Riverina Local Land Services to see if the drone activity was due to pink mapping amendments in the region but both organisations have since confirmed that they were not doing any drone work in the area and usually rely on satellite technology anyway. At the time of print, the West Wyalong Advocate was also waiting for a response from CASA and the NSW Police but are yet to receive word.
The fear among many is that criminals are using drones to case farming enterprises and operations to ascertain how many people live there, who's there and what they might have on their property that can be stolen, seized and on-sold. Given the proliferation of rural crime and the spike in regional trespassing and theft, the concerns are more than valid.
Have you seen drones flying over your property? Let us know. Email - editor@westwyalongadvocate.com.au anonymously if you prefer.
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