Proposed temporary restricted area west of Townsville to support military flying activities

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Open consultation

QLD

13 days remaining

Start 11/03/2025
AEDT 11:00

End 25/03/2025
AEDT 17:00

Submit feedback to

Joint Airspace Control Cell

Defence

adf.airspace@defence.gov.au

Joint Airspace Control Cell (JACC) requests feedback on temporary restricted areas (TRA) and procedures for Exercise CRIMSON DAWN 2025-1, specifically to be employed at Townsville field training area.

The issue

Activation of proposed TRA ‘MESA’ and TRA ‘VERDE’ to extend R737 on a temporary basis prior to a proposed permanent restricted area amendment.
To support aircraft operating to Kidston (YKID), changes to the prior proposal include joining proposed R737G and R737J and establishing the base of restricted airspace at flight level (FL) 120 and 7000 feet.
No additional air routes are affected beyond those already affected by R737 activation.
Airspace is designed to remain clear of air routes W387.
Conditional status of TRA will be RA2.

Purpose

JACC requests feedback on proposed TRA and procedures for exercise CRIMSON DAWN 2025-1, specifically to be employed at Townsville Field Training Area.

Proposal

Townsville Field Training Area

Two TRAs are proposed to support fast jet operations out of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Townsville, Queensland. Indicative timings are listed in Table 1, with specific activation timings to be promulgated by Aeronautical Information Publication supplementary (AIP SUP) and Notice to Airmen (NOTAM).

Table 1 - Indicative TRA timings
Airspace	Date	Time (Coordinated universal time)
TRA ‘MESA’	15 – 27 June 2025	2345Z – 0630Z daily
TRA ‘VERDE’	15 – 27 June 2025	2345Z – 0630Z daily

Diversion Routes

Extant diversion routes for R737 (outlined in enroute supplement Australia (ERSA) are not affected by TRA ‘MESA’ or TRA ‘VERDE’.

Access to TRA ‘MESA’ and TRA ‘VERDE’

During NOTAM activation periods, access to TRA ‘MESA’ and TRA ’VERDE’ by non-exercise aircraft will not be available, except in cases of a declared emergency, radio failure or participating in activities for the preservation of life and property, search and rescue, medical, petroleum, oils and lubricants or fire-fighting flights (SAR, MED, POL or FFR).

The proposed NOTAMs will display as follows:

YBBB/TRA ‘MESA’

Conditional Status: RA2

Military Flying

Lateral Limits: 182500S 1440000E - 181416S 1445605E - then along the counterclockwise arc of a radius 120.00NM centre 191439S 1464530E (TL/DME) - 184958S 1444131E - 191000S 1440000E - 182500S 1440000E

Vertical Limits: FL120 - NOTAM

Hours of Activity: 2345Z – 0630Z Daily

Controlling Authority: 452SQN Townsville flight Commander

YBBB/TRA ‘VERDE’

Conditional Status: RA2

Military Flying

Lateral Limits: 184958S 1444131E then along the counterclockwise arc of a radius 120.00 nautical miles (n mile) centre 191439S 1464530E (TL/DME) 201158S 1445336E - 201657S 1442650E - 191000S 1440000E - 184958S 1444131E.

Vertical Limits: 7000 AMSL – NOTAM

Hours of Activity: 2345Z – 0630Z Daily

Controlling Authority: 452SQN Townsville Flight Commander

Submitted by

Joint Airspace Control Cell Defence
adf.airspace@defence.gov.au

Relevant documentation

11 March 2025

Further information on TRA MESA and TRA VERDE 2025 [PDF 664.27 KB]