The Federal Government's move to dodge responsibility for noise in the emerging drone-delivery sector has been met by opposition from a surprising source — the world's leading drone-delivery company.

Key points: Google-linked drone company Wing has rejected a recommendation from the Federal Government to hand responsibility for drone noise to the states

Google-linked drone company Wing has rejected a recommendation from the Federal Government to hand responsibility for drone noise to the states Delivery drones are being used to deliver food, coffee and small items in the ACT and Queensland, but their noise has prompted complaints

Delivery drones are being used to deliver food, coffee and small items in the ACT and Queensland, but their noise has prompted complaints Submissions to the national drone noise review close on Friday

An issues paper released as part of a federal drone-noise review recommends the states and territories take on responsibility from the Federal Government for regulating drone noise.

Jonathan Bass, global head of marketing at Wing, rejected this suggestion and linked the issue of noise to the overall aviation-safety regime.

"We think that it could have unintended consequences for safety," he said.

"We believe the Federal Government should regulate anything that occurs in the air space, and noise should be considered as part of other impacts of that review."

Wing's delivery-drone services are currently available to people in the northern suburbs of Canberra and parts of Logan in Queensland.

Fears safety may be secondary priority

Early trials by Wing, part of the Google group of companies, had been plagued by noise complaints from neighbours.

It forced the company to develop a new propeller system that minimises noise for neighbours.

Measured at 69 decibels from 15 metres away, the noise level is equivalent to a loud television, a busy office or a leaf blower.

Wing argues the sound is less intrusive than other neighbourhood noises, which may continue for a longer duration.

Bureaucrats were originally unaware the Federal Government was responsible for drone noise. A national drone-noise review was commenced earlier this year.

The Federal Government's issues paper suggests states are better placed to address local noise issues.

"Many drones are not like other aircraft, with the ability for drones to operate far closer to people on the ground and operating shorter distances than other aircraft," it states.

"The proximity of drone operations to the community in built-up and residential areas raises the question of whether states/territories or local government are better placed than the Commonwealth Government to regulate drones."

Wing's submission to the review warns: "If noise regulations are developed at a state or local level and isolated from one another, it may place the safety of unmanned aircraft as a secondary priority, which would be inconsistent with the Australian Government's aviation objectives."

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack rejected the suggestion the Federal Government was not taking noise complaints from residents seriously.

"I would urge people if they do have concerns about drones and the noise that they are making to contact their local federal member and indeed, write to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and we will obviously look at it," he said.

Wing's submission also cautions against regulating drones based on "societal benefit" — for example whether one is delivering emergency medical supplies — noting cars are not regulated by whether they are taking a doctor to work or a child to school.

Submissions to the national drone noise review close on Friday.