DoorDash debuts drone delivery in Melbourne’s east

Sky News host Chris Kenny has weighed in on calls for the Victorian government to ban junk food advertisements on public transport. Cancer Council Victoria has urged the government to refuse to allow the marketing of junk food on Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel stations. Mr Kenny labeled the proposal as “madness” arguing that people can make up their own minds about what they’re going to eat.

A first for Victoria, the drones took flight on Thursday, delivering to 26 suburbs in Melbourne’s east.

The drones can travel up to seven kilometers from their nest at QIC’s Eastland Shopping Center in Maroondah, and can carry just over 1kg, while traveling at a speed of around 110km/h.

Teaming up with drone delivery service, Wing, DoorDash has unveiled the innovative delivery method in the Maroondah City Council area.

Spokesperson for Wing, Jesse Suskin, said the drones were a safe and environmentally friendly option.

“We’re thrilled to kick off delivery in a new state and city, delivering to the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

“Our first Nest in Victoria will be located at QIC’s Eastland Shopping Center in Maroondah, and cover an area which will give over 250,000 residents access to drone delivery via the DoorDash app.”

The pilot program was first tested in Logan, in South East Queensland, where customers ordered essential items like school lunches and toiletries.

“Four years ago, we started Australia’s first urban drone delivery service in Southeast Queensland, integrating our delivery drones at major shopping centers in densely populated areas, located alongside the merchants we deliver for,” Mr Suskin said.

“Our customers use drone delivery, for things like a loaf of bread to prepare school lunch, toiletries, or an afternoon treat like coffee or ice cream. We’ve been able to provide delivery that’s safe, fast, and environmentally friendly.”

General Manager, at Eastland Shopping Centre, Greg Balmforth said the drone’s homebase being at the major shopping precinct could help retailers profit from another avenue of business.

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Recent operation changes allow a single pilot to oversee up to 50 drones in the air at any given time, three times higher than when the program first kicked off.

The 26 suburbs include Ringwood, Ringwood North, Mitcham, Nunawading, Donvale, Park Orchards, Warranwood, Croydon Hills, Croydon South, Bayswater, Wantirna, Heathmont, Vermont, and in parts of Vermont South, Forest Hill, Wonga Park, Kilsyth, Warrandyte South, Blackburn, Blackburn North, Doncaster East, Croydon North, Croydon, Bayswater North, Boronia and Wantirna South.

Residents of the listed suburbs can access the service by clicking the ‘drone’ icon on the DoorDash app to order.