Agricultural Spray Drone for Cliff-Face Weed Control on the NSW Coast

Overview

This use case shows how the XAG P150 Max spray drone helped tackle invasive Bitou Bush along the steep Bendalong and Cudmirrah coastline in Shoalhaven, NSW. By combining aerial spraying with custom horizontal nozzles, the contractor was able to reach difficult cliff-face terrain safely, efficiently and with precise coverage where traditional ground crews would struggle.

The Challenge: Weed Control Where Ground Crews Can’t Go

Invasive bitou bush is a serious threat to Australia’s coastal ecosystems. Along the Bendalong and Cudmirrah coastline, steep cliff faces and dense coastal scrub made traditional ground-based weed control difficult, slow and risky.

Shoalhaven Council needed a smarter solution. That is where agricultural drone technology, and a bit of Aussie ingenuity, stepped in.

The Solution: Aerial Spray Drone + Custom Engineered Nozzles

The Aland AI Drone team deployed the XAG P150 Max agricultural spray drone to tackle the job from the air. Rather than working around the limitations of cliff-face terrain, the team took the operation skyward, turning a logistical nightmare into a safe, efficient, and highly effective aerial spraying operation.

But what truly set this job apart was the next-level innovation the crew brought to the task.

Recognising that standard downward-facing nozzles wouldn't deliver precise chemical coverage on near-vertical cliff surfaces, the team's operator designed and fabricated custom horizontal spraying nozzles specifically configured for the XAG P150 Max. The result? Accurate, targeted spray coverage reaching exactly where it was needed, at angles that no standard spray drone setup could achieve.

Why This Use Case Stands Out

1. Spray Drones Solve Terrain Problems Ground Crews Can’t

Cliff faces represent one of the most hazardous and time-consuming environments for manual weed control teams. Loose ground, unpredictable edges, and dense vegetation make manual spraying both dangerous and inefficient.

Agricultural spray drones eliminate this risk entirely. The XAG P150 Max operates from the air, giving operators full coverage of steep coastal terrain without putting a single crew member in a dangerous position. What would have taken days of dangerous manual work was completed safely and efficiently from above.

Key benefit: Ag spray drones aren't just faster. They open up terrain that was previously unsprayable.

2. Custom Engineering Maximises Spray Drone Performance

Off-the-shelf spray drone setups are highly capable, but the best operators know how to go further. By engineering custom horizontal nozzles for the XAG P150 Max, the Aland AI Drone team demonstrated exactly what's possible when skilled operators combine powerful AgTech with problem-solving innovation.

The custom nozzle configuration allowed for:

• Precise lateral coverage on steep and near-vertical surfaces
• Targeted chemical application directly to Bitou Bush without overspray
• Efficient completion of a job that would otherwise require significant manual intervention

This is contractor-led innovation at its best, using the XAG P150 Max as a platform to build smarter, more effective solutions for unique on-ground challenges.

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3. Effective Invasive Weed Management at Scale

Bitou Bush is a declared invasive weed across much of coastal NSW, outcompeting native vegetation and degrading critical habitat. Effective, targeted chemical control is one of the most important tools land managers have, and spray drones are making that control more accessible, more precise, and safer than ever before.

By deploying an agricultural spray drone for this coastal operation, the Aland AI Drone team delivered a weed management outcome that protects the long-term health of the Bendalong and Cudmirrah coastline for Shoalhaven Council and the community.

The Result

✅ Steep coastal cliff terrain successfully treated
✅ Invasive Bitou Bush targeted with precise chemical application
✅ Reduced risk to ground crews working in hazardous terrain
✅ Custom horizontal nozzles delivered coverage standard setups could not easily achieve
✅ Safe, efficient and scalable approach for similar difficult terrain

Is a Spray Drone Right for Your Operation?

Whether you're managing invasive weeds across difficult terrain, treating large-scale crops, or looking for a safer and more efficient alternative to ground-based spraying, agricultural spray drones are transforming what's possible for Australian farmers and contractors.

The XAG P150 Max is one of the most capable agricultural spray drones available in Australia, purpose-built for demanding conditions, scalable for large operations, and flexible enough for operators to adapt to any job.

👉 Learn more about the XAG P150 Max: https://www.xag-au.com/p150-max