The world’s leading minds in drone technology will converge on Brisbane for one of the largest unmanned automated vehicle conferences on the globe.

The Mount Isa City Council is closely monitoring the advancement of drone technology and the debate around appropriate regulation.

Mount Isa City Council CEO Sharon Ibardolaza said council had looking at using drones for monitoring and maintaining public amenities like water, drainage systems and public roads.

State Development minister Cameron Dick said the government’s recent Drones Strategy - the first of its kind in Australia - would help ensure Queensland has the right policies and programs in place to back future technologies, regulate their use and create jobs.

“We’re the only state in Australia with a strategy to capitalise on the growth of this sector,” Mr Dick said.

“Our highly-skilled workforce and support for platform technologies through programs like our $15 million Industry Tech Fund puts us in a very strong position.

“Local drone businesses cover a range of sectors - everything from accident investigations to surveying and farming and international companies like Terra Drone and Trumbull Unmanned,” he said. 

World of Drones Congress convenor Catherine Ball said about 500 delegates would visit the conference, many from other countries, which was another sign of Queensland’s reputation in the Asia–Pacific region as a leader in drones.

“Drone technology is here and the possibilities are endless for businesses going forward, from the delivery of goods to giving the movie industry a new look, and helping our Queensland lifesavers patrol our beaches,” Dr Ball said.

“Through this conference and the innovative work of drone companies around Queensland, we can take drone applications to the next level and help many sectors explore the capabilities of these machines.”

Renowned drone experts like futurist Professor Genevieve Bell from the Australian National University and Professor Gordon Wyeth from Queensland University of Technology will lead keynote addresses across the two-day conference.

The World of Drones Congress is being held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from August 9-10 2018.