Redefining Aerial Excellence! Let’s Elevate – Innovate – Dominate!
About the Project
The project aims to uplift digital capability within First Nation businesses, organisations and communities to leverage employment and economic development opportunities through use of drones, to deliver cultural and environmental monitoring and assessment services within the renewable energy supply chain, as well as improve individual employment opportunities for application in agriculture, land management and conservation, and other industries that require drone technology.
Southern Queensland Landscapes is proud to announce our recent partnership with The Department of State Development and Infrastructure, Darling Downs South West Regional Office to deliver a drone program named Wandhala (Eagle) Drone Project.
The Wandhala Drone Project funded by the Regional Economic Futures Fund (REFF), is part of a broader initiative to leverage advanced technology for land management and conservation to create sustainable jobs and stronger, diverse economies in the South West, Darling Downs and South Burnett Regions.
Beginning in
mid February 2025 eligible parties have an opportunity to attain a Remote Operators Certificate (ReOC) and CASA Remote Pilot License (RePL) certification by participating and completing a
12-month training program.
These certifications enhance the ability for Indigenous organisations and individuals to provide cultural and environmental monitoring and assessment services within the agricultural and renewable energy supply chain.
Here’s how to get involved
First Nation businesses, organisations and communities in Southern Downs, Western Downs, Cherbourg and Bunya, Toowoomba, Balonne, Goondiwindi, Murweh, Paroo, Bulloo, Quilpie and the Maranoa Regions are encouraged to contact us as early as possible from February 2025 – check out our Facebook page for details!
Please submit an EOI using the below form to
wandhala@sqlandscapes.org.au or by visiting one of our offices. Program intake is February 2025, with eligibility assessed for each submission. Applications close on 14 Feb 2025 and our third-party committee will let the successful participants know by 19 Feb 2025.
If you’re interested in this exciting project, get in touch!
Meet the Project Coordinators
Jackson Shillingsworth
Jackson is a descendant of Margany People from Southwest Queensland and one of our Project Delivery Officer based in Cunnamulla.
Jackson brings extensive knowledge to the project around native title and cultural heritage management and has a passion to working with communities to achieve, social, cultural and economic outcomes.
Lorinda Otto
Lorinda is our Relationship Lead and the Roma Node Manager for the Southern Queensland Northern New South Wales Innovation Hub (SQNNSW).
Lorinda has a wealth of experience in community relations, stakeholder engagement, and is passionate about improving the lives and enterprises throughout the agriculture sector.
The Wandhala Drone Project is funded by the Regional Economic Futures Fund (REFF) and aims to invest in generational infrastructure that support long-term community prosperity by facilitating sustainable employment.