Drone Surveying (RPAS) in South Australia, Victoria and Australia – Safety, Privacy & Compliance

Drone Surveying: Flying Safely, Responsibly and Respectfully

Drones, also known as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), have become a familiar sight in the skies, but with that comes plenty of questions about safety, privacy and compliance. At Alexander Symonds, we understand these concerns and work hard to show clients, communities and regulators that aerial surveying can be carried out responsibly and to the highest professional standard.

What We Do with Drones

Our drone (RPAS) program is an essential part of how we deliver surveying services. By capturing high-quality aerial data, we can provide services including, but not limited to:

Topographic and feature surveys – detailed ground models for design and planning.
Construction monitoring – track progress, stockpile volumes and conformance checks.
Corridor surveys – efficient capture of data for roads, rail and utilities.
Visualisation – 3D models and high-resolution imagery for client visualisation, planning, design, and engagement.

The use of drones delivers significant benefits. The most important is safety, as our surveyors are removed from hazardous environments such as live roads, rail corridors, trenches and earthworks, lowering the risk of incidents.

Drones also reduce disruption for both clients and the community. Projects can be surveyed without lane closures, shutdowns or interruptions to surrounding neighbourhoods, allowing works to progress smoothly. At the same time, drones improve efficiency by covering large areas quickly and producing repeatable data for monitoring change. This results in cost savings, better visibility through 3D models and imagery, and more informed decision-making.

Learn more about our Drone and Aerial Surveying Services

Safety and Accreditation

Safety is the cornerstone of our drone (RPAS) operations. In Australia, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) sets strict rules for drone use. One of the most important requirements is that drones must not fly closer than 30 metres from people and must not fly directly over them without specific approval. These rules exist to keep both the public and our clients safe.

Alexander Symonds operates well beyond the minimum standard. We hold multiple approvals and accreditations that ensure our work is carried out with the highest level of safety and accountability:

CASA Operator Accreditation and Remote Operators Certificate (ReOC) – Proof that we are formally approved by CASA to conduct commercial drone operations, supported by documented systems for training, maintenance and oversight.
CASA OONP (Operations Over or Near People) Instrument of Approval – Authorising us to safely and legally conduct flights over or near people, including in public and residential areas, under sound safety conditions.
BARS Accreditation (Basic Aviation Risk Standard) – An independent accreditation, audited annually against a strict aviation risk regime. Recognised by the mining, construction and government sectors, it demonstrates that our operations meet international best practice in aviation safety.

In addition to these accreditations, we maintain a comprehensive drone management system that records every flight, tracks maintenance, and ensures approvals are followed. This level of reporting and oversight gives both clients and the public confidence that every operation is carried out safely, consistently and transparently, under a rigorous safety framework with clear rules in place.

In short, we are:

Authorised to operate over or near people with CASA approval.
Independently audited each year through BARS accreditation.
Committed to protecting both clients and the community through safe, transparent operations.

Protecting Privacy

We recognise that drones (RPAS) can raise concerns, particularly around privacy. Stories of drones hovering over homes or backyards often make headlines, but this is not how we operate. Our work is planned, controlled and focused only on the data needed to deliver a project.

Flight paths are carefully designed to avoid unnecessary capture. The imagery collected, by drone or on the ground, relates only to the project area and is never used for marketing, monitoring private property or any unrelated purpose. Where flights cannot completely avoid capturing nearby properties, we take steps to minimise impact. We may provide guidance to clients to help manage community expectations in advance, ensure our field crews can respond to enquiries professionally, and process data to remove or obscure any imagery that could be considered sensitive or unrelated to the project.

All data is stored securely, accessed only by authorised personnel, and retained only for as long as required to meet project or legal obligations.

For clients, this means assurance that data is collected and managed responsibly, with clear limits on its use. For the community, it means peace of mind that drone operations are not intrusive and are carried out under strict rules that respect individual privacy.

In short:

Drone flights are planned to capture only project-specific data.
Any incidental imagery is not the focus and is removed or not used beyond the project.
Data is stored securely, with access restricted to authorised personnel.

For more detail, you can view our full Privacy Policy.

Benefits for Clients and Communities

Drone surveying provides more than just accurate data, it creates real benefits for both our clients and the wider community:

Safety – keeps surveyors out of hazardous environments such as live traffic corridors, rail lines, trenches and earthworks, reducing the risk of incidents.
Reduced disruption – captures data without lane closures, site shutdowns or interruptions to nearby residents and the public.
Efficiency – surveys large or complex areas quickly, with repeat flights that provide accurate comparisons over time, saving costs through fewer site visits and less downtime.
Clarity and visibility – delivers high-resolution imagery and 3D models that support better planning, stronger decision-making and clearer communication.

Together, these benefits mean projects are delivered more safely, more efficiently and with greater confidence for everyone involved.

Our Commitment

At Alexander Symonds, we combine innovation with responsibility. Our drone (RPAS) operations are built on the principles of safety, privacy and professionalism, backed by CASA approvals, BARS accreditation and comprehensive oversight. Every flight is planned, recorded and reviewed to ensure we meet the highest standards of compliance and care.

Choosing the Right Operator

Not all drone operators are the same. Using an unaccredited provider may expose projects and communities to unnecessary risks. When choosing an operator, it’s important to confirm they hold the right CASA approvals, independent accreditation and robust management systems.

With Alexander Symonds, you can be confident you’re working with a highly qualified team that delivers safe, transparent and compliant drone operations.