## 1 Introduction  
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, are a smart technology revolutionising a multitude of sectors with their advanced aerial capabilities and data-gathering efficiency. In recent years, the use of drone technology in the built environment has seen significant innovations, particularly in urban areas where the benefits of these unmanned aerial vehicles extend to various sectors such as arts and entertainment, real estate, crime prevention and construction [1, 2, 3]. Despite the burgeoning use of drones in urban landscapes, their use in rural areas remains comparatively limited and constrained to a narrow range of activities (e.g., crop monitoring and aerial surveying [4, 5, 6, 7, 8]). In less urbanised areas, smart technology can play a critical role in addressing unique challenges and opportunities in the fields of agricultural productivity, transportation of goods and services, remote healthcare, and digital education access [4]. Undoubtedly, the positive impacts of smart technologiescould be just as important in rural and regional areas as in urban areas [9; 10]. The disparity between extensive adaptation of drone use in urban areas versus non-urban areas is not just a reflection of differing rural and regional needs but also indicates a gap in exploring the full potential of drones. In Australia, there is a need to shift the conversation of smart technology adaptation from the urban to the rural and regional [4] for balanced technological advancement across diverse geographies. The terms rural and regional are often used interchangeably [11] and are vaguely described as all areas outside of metropolitan boundaries. \"Rural is often associated with a high proportion of a population in primary industries such as farming, mining and fishing and can relate to the population of a location, socio-cultural or ecological factors [12], pp. 5-6. Defining \"regional\" is much more complicated; in Australia, regions are determined by their purpose and they are \"social constructs... that result from our attempts to impose some spatial order on surroundings\" [13], p. 46. There are regional areas that support rural and remote areas and act as centres for small industry or transportation hubs and there are regions that cross state borders to service areas in both states with limited access to services. This article applies the regional classifications from the Standard Geographical Classification of the Australian Bureau of Statistics [14]. Unlike urban centres, where technological integration is ubiquitous, rural and regional areas present untapped opportunities for drone technology, such as environmental conservation, emergency medical deliveries, and connectivity solutions. Also, the gap between the theoretical potential of drone technology, as highlighted in research, and its practical adoption by rural and regional councils is significant and noteworthy. Academic research often showcases drones as multifaceted tools capable of transforming an industry [15; 16]; however, in the context of rural and regional councils, the implementation of drones is frequently more conservative and focused on specific and limited tasks. In Australia, local councils are tasked with responsibilities that serve as the backbone of community welfare and development. Economic duties range from finance management and fostering economic development, supporting small businesses and promoting inter-state and international tourism. Environmental stewardship also falls within the purview of a local council's remit requiring them to work towards biodiversity conservation, be accountable for biosecurity hazards, mitigate climate change, and make fiscally and sustainably responsible decisions. In governance, councils tackle issues from policy development to structural reform. Councils also focus on health and safety, including emergency management and crime prevention, oversee the maintenance and development of essential infrastructure such as managing building regulations, and preserve heritage.