What's the go with a drone buzzing overhead .... is it legal .... the novelty wore off real quick and the buzzing was a nuisance... the worst part is now I'll be staring on " most funny video's" on Tv ... 
Yep, apparently it is legal. I discussed this at length with a pro photographer friend of mine. In some countries in Europe, they're illegal if they're filming. In some states in the US it's apparently legal to shoot them down if they're over your property.
I think there will be a time when they will be required to disclose to people they film what they're doing. We've had them at our local, but not that often.
The question is, if it's frowned upon to photograph someone else's kid at a soccer match or swimming carnival, what makes it OK to film kids in the surf anonymously?
One thing I believe is true, is that it is an invasion of privacy. Especially if they use any footage or photo for any monetary gain without your permission. That being said, you'd need to be able to find the critter to see what they're doing with the footage/photos. Just designing a collapsible, water proof sling shot for the next time one comes buzzing by.
Best thing is to turn your back on 'em and don't catch any waves, they'll soon get sick of waiting.
I understand their is some extensive comparisons going on currently in Qld and Northern NSW for big critter spotting, could it be one of those 
Yep .... critter spotting trials going on on my local last week ...annoying yes..glad its happening yes,
why
Had a 3mtr critter surface in front of me last week...the white type, (20ft in front of me).... I did not need a drone to know what it was though 
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Funny though, the drone and help had just done a pass 5 minutes before....had they done it 5 minutes later they would have filmed a big critter and a "cloud" in the water resembling a very big squid trail 
Sorry......did not want to hijack the thread, not the intent, critter spotting with drones in on the agenda in NSW..perhaps that was it.
Select to expand quoteMichaelR said..
Yep, apparently it is legal.
There was an interesting discussion on this a little while back in the Gen I think. I have just tried to find it but not been able to. Maybe someone else can remember what the thread was about. Anyway here is some on-line advice from lawstuff.org.au
Ultimately the answer depends on who is taking the photo/video, where is it being taken, and for what purpose is the photo/video being used.
There are no laws that stop someone taking your photo/video in a public place and then posting it online.
There are no laws that stop someone posting photos/ videos of you taken from a public location, even when you are on private property.
So someone can post a photo of you in your home or garden as long as it was taken from the public footpath.
Similarly, there are no laws that stop people posting photos of you taken from property they have permission to be on (such as their private property), even when you are on private property.
There are laws that prevent people entering privately owned property without permission. This means that the owner of private property can take legal action to punish people taking photos/ videos after entering their property without permission, and in some cases may be able to stop the person using or posting the photos/ videos taken.
There are some places where permission is needed before any photos/ videos can be taken. These places include museums, galleries, sporting arenas and airports.
If a large business takes a photo/video of you for a commercial purpose (like an advertisement) and you are identifiable in the photo/video they must get your permission to use or post the image online.
Cool Ted... you actually answered question (or given me cause to pursue a small matter further, re an image) ...thanks Ted
cheers
G
I am in the surveying business, and we have major commercial uses for drones, but we are always limited in what we can do because you are not allowed to fly them over people (for obvious reasons).
Flying a drone over a surf break, although enticing, is dangerous, and I think illegal.
There was recently a relaxing of regulations, but I think that was more related to pilots licences etc.
I'll check and get back to you...
This got way too hard too quickly but I think if someone is flying a drone over you while you are surfing, go in, find him, and tell him to stop. Or punch the nerd.
Privacy issues are not addressed by CASA, but are acknowledged.
From CASA website, but I droned off.
If you fly a remotely piloted aircraft commercially (i.e. not for sport or recreation), you must hold a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operator’s certificate (UOC).
The standard RPA operating conditions will be:
You must only fly during the day and keep your RPA within visual line-of sight.
You must not fly your RPA higher than 120 metres (400ft) AGL.
You must keep your RPA at least 30 metres away from other people
You must keep your RPA at least 5.5km away from controlled aerodromes
You must not fly your RPA over any populous areas. These can include: beaches, parks and sporting ovals.
You must not fly your RPA over or near an area affecting public safety or where emergency operations are underway (without prior approval). This could include situations such as a car crash, police operations, a fire and associated firefighting efforts and search and rescue.
You can only fly one RPA at a time. Autonomous flight is prohibited under the amendments. CASA is still developing suitable regulations for autonomous flight. However, there is scope for CASA to approve autonomous flight on a case-by-case basis. These changes do not take effect until 29 September 2016, when a full range of forms, guidance and notification system will be available. We'll be releasing more about these processes over the coming months.
yep and don't forget that shang eyes were so much fun in the childhood days . if a drone is hovering in someones personal air space , its every man and woman for himself .
Do you think there would be much of a delivery surcharge on top of the original cost of the donut 
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I'm just asking on behalf of a friend 
honest 
It would be a great way to guarantee a descent set of waves. I can see it now, just as MY coffee arrives rolling in over the horizon, waves for everyone else.
Just asked Matt its against the law if the operator is flying without a drone licence within 7 ks from a airport,can't fly 30 meters from anybody and can't sell the footage if you also don't have a licence a lot more rules but just a few
I have had three drones. One crashed due to a bird strike near some kids, another had a child run at it when I was bringing it in to land. Another time the battery was going flat as I was bringing it back and the wind was blowing it over houses, traffic and people with only minimal control from me. Many of them have a GPS "home" function and that can be problematic too.
My experience tells me these are dangerous and need to be registered in some way. I don't have any solutions, but they certainly aren't harmless toys.
