Police have charged a man after a drone was allegedly flown over the Townsville 400 V8 event, in contravention of the Major Events Act 2014 (the Act), Queensland Police say.
Around 2.45pm on July 8, a man allegedly piloted a drone from the Queens Road end of Lou Lister Park towards the area surrounding the Townsville Civic Centre, which had been declared a Major Event Area under the Act.
The drone allegedly hovered over the helicopter operations area at Townsville State High School as a helicopter was landing and as another helicopter was taking off.
Helicopter flights had to be temporarily suspended before the drone allegedly flew over the race track, which was being used as a departure corridor for air operations.
Police conducting motorcycle patrols observed the drone hovering over the area of the race track near First Street, before it flew back to its launch site.
Officers attended Lou Lister Park and seized the drone and viewed the footage it recorded.
A 34-year-old Burdell man has been charged with aircraft operating in airspace above major event.
He is due to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on August 10.
