Peel, Western Australia — Western Australia has taken a major step forward in agricultural technology and regional innovation with the launch of a new drone technology hub at the Food Innovation Precinct Western Australia (FIPWA).
Officially opened by, Stephen Dawson, Minister for Science and Innovation; and Regional Development, the hub positions the Peel region as a centre for applied technology, industry capability and innovation-led economic development.
The launch also marked the unveiling of the Aerial Futures initiative, a collaboration between Australia Agritech, the Peel Development Commission and the Shire of Murray. The program is focused on accelerating the adoption of drone technology, supporting new enterprise and building capability across key industries.
The hub provides a platform for advanced drone systems to be demonstrated and applied in real-world settings — from precision agriculture and crop monitoring through to environmental management and infrastructure inspection. It will also soon begin delivering drone training programs, giving participants the opportunity to learn to fly drones in a safe, controlled environment and build confidence in their use.
Through Australia Agritech’s partnership with DJI, the Peel region is now connected to a global network of drone innovation, linking Western Australian operators with international peers across Asia, Europe and beyond.
This builds on FIPWA’s growing international footprint, including partnerships in India, Malaysia and Singapore, further strengthening its role as a gateway for global technology into Western Australia.
As a State innovation hub, FIPWA brings together industry, government and global partners to accelerate the adoption of new technologies. The Drone Hub is a natural extension of this role — driving technology transfer, industry collaboration and new economic opportunities for the region.
Australia Agritech Director Judy Zhu said the hub represented a shift from awareness to application.
“This is about bringing technology into a real-world setting where industry can see it, use it and build new opportunities around it. It opens the door for businesses across multiple sectors to engage with drone technology in a practical and commercially relevant way,” she said.
Peel Development Commission Chair Myrianthe Riddy said the initiative highlighted the role of regional collaboration in driving economic development.
“Aerial Futures builds local capability while connecting the Peel region to global innovation networks. It is a strong example of how targeted investment can unlock new industries and opportunities for regional Western Australia,” he said.
Shire of Murray CEO Dean Unsworth said the development reinforced the strategic importance of FIPWA.
“FIPWA continues to evolve as a key innovation asset for the State. Initiatives like this strengthen our ability to attract investment, support industry growth and create new opportunities for our community,” he said.
FIPWA General Manager Dr Chris Vas said the launch marked an important step in the precinct’s evolution.
“This is a natural extension of FIPWA’s role as a State innovation hub — bringing global technologies into a local context and enabling industry to adopt and scale them,” he said.
