Decommissioning of Argyle aerodrome and VHF omnidirectional range / distance measuring equipment

Airservices Australia and Rio Tinto are advising aircraft operators of the planned decommissioning of the Argyle aerodrome and navigation aids.

Purpose

Argyle aerodrome (YARG) in Western Australia is operated by Rio Tinto.  The Argyle VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) / distance measuring equipment (DME) (ARG) navigation aids are privately owned by Rio Tinto and located at YARG.  Due to the closure of the Argyle diamond mine in 2020, Rio Tinto is undertaking remediation and rehabilitation works of the area with a plan to fully decommission the aerodrome and all associated navigation aids on 23 September 2025.  The last operational day will be Monday 22 September 2025.  

• Decommissioning of the YARG and VOR/DME will result in the following changes to the aeronautical information package (AIP): 
• removal of all YARG details, including the ARG VOR and DME details, from en route supplement Australia (ERSA);
• removal of the aerodrome chart and all instrument approach and departure procedures at YARG, including RNP approaches;
• modification of routes that reference the ARG VOR; and - updating of charts and other documentation to remove reference to the aerodrome and navaids. 

The Argyle VOR/DME will be decommissioned coincident with the closure of the Argyle aerodrome. 

Any concerns can be raised directly with Rio Tinto using the contact details in this notice.