News

The Australian UAV Service (AUAVS) run a yearly internal survey which asks forty (40) questions of those involved in SLSNSW UAV programs. This survey was posted in February and closed in late February. This is a key way we engage and listen to the thoughts of our members (volunteers and staff), and we're very pleased to outline the results of this survey.

The NSW Government has invested over $85 million until 2026 to continue rolling out successfully trialled shark mitigation technologies along the NSW coastline. Each year, the NSW Government checks in with beach users, coastal councils and other key stakeholders to understand community sentiment and confidence in the NSW Shark Management Program.

As we roll into the new year it’s a great time to reflect on the achievements of the one gone by and pull together some key statistics that are made possible by our volunteers and staff. The AUAVS had a hugely productive 2022 and we saw a significant increase in all aspects of flying operations.

Thank you from the Australian UAV Service and wider SLSNSW team to all the awesome people making AUAVS a success. We appreciate each and every one of you, and wish you and your families a safe, happy, and healthy Christmas and New Year’s period.

Volunteer life-savers showed up in support of the White Ribbon Day event in Sydney Harbour on Friday 18th November, with 13 members of our SLSNSW Support Operations teams on jetskis joining with our friends at NSW Maritime, Marine Rescue NSW, and Port Authority NSW.

Flooding is unfortunately continuing to affect some parts of the state and is likely to continue for the weeks to come. AUAVS has continued to support the SES by deploying UAV Pilot teams to ensure the safety of on-water crews, check for road blockages, structural damage, and other critical issues.

In some incredible news, the Australian UAV Service (AUAVS) was awarded the major category winner of Remotely Pilot Aircraft Business of the Year at the inaugural 2022 Australian Aviation Awards! Sheldon Finn (UAV Supervisor - HUN/CC) was also selected as a finalist in the RPA Operator of the Year category.

To date, this calendar year, AUAVS has delivered 10 surfing events for Surfing NSW and Surfing Australia, with 12 more events scheduled for the rest of the calendar year. This has equated to 72 days of work completed, as well as countless hours of preparation, training, equipment maintenance, and post event reporting.

The Australian UAV Service (AUAVS) is now seeking applications for casual employment across spring, summer, autumn and winter holiday periods across NSW. With a presence in every coastal council, there is a position near you! The AUAVS are always striving to improve our processes and services. We have therefore made changes to our application process.