Moree’s police will keep their eyes in the sky, with the Minns Labor Government extending the town’s Australian-first police drone trial for another two years.
Two drones have been operating in Moree throughout 2026, giving officers a new tool to respond to and prevent crime. Known as POLAIR Remote, the drones are piloted remotely from a Remote Operations Centre at the NSW Police Force Aviation Command at Bankstown Airport, with police able to reach anywhere in town within minutes of launch.
It is the first time drone technology has been used this way in Australian policing.
An evaluation of the trial’s operational effectiveness is under way. A community survey of 516 people found strong support for the program, with 85 per cent reporting no perceived negative impact and 83 per cent believing the drones enhance public safety.
The survey also found 82 per cent of respondents were positive or very positive about the drone use, 78 per cent believed the drones improved emergency response times, 76 per cent had high or very high trust in police use of drones, and 75 per cent felt safer or much safer because of the drone presence.
The NSW Government said it would look to roll out the technology in other regional areas, with further consultation, including with Aboriginal stakeholders, to be carried out as part of any expansion.
The drone program sits within the government’s broader place-based response for Moree, which includes $13.4 million for a targeted response in the town, as well as statewide investments of $23 million to address youth crime and improve community safety in regional NSW, $6.3 million for intensive bail supervision and support for young people, and $5.5 million for youth diversion and violence reduction programs.
Premier Chris Minns said the extension would give police every tool possible to keep regional communities safe.
“We’re extending this Australian-first trial in Moree for another two years because we want to give police every tool we can to keep regional communities safe,” Premier Minns said.
“These drones can be anywhere across Moree within two or three minutes, giving police on the ground eyes in the sky and critical information about what they’re responding to.
“There’s no single answer to regional crime, but we’ll keep investing in police, prevention and new technology that can help make communities safer.”
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said the program had proven itself with police and the local community.
“This is smart policing at its best. Police and the local community have told us the drone program is a real game changer, so we’re extending it,” Minister Catley said.
“This technology is changing the way police fight crime and it’s happening because the Minns Labor Government is giving police the tools they need to keep our communities safe.
“Modern policing happens in the community, in the sky, on the road and at the scene, not behind a desk. That’s the legacy we’re building.”
More information on the government’s investment in Moree is available at nsw.gov.au.
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