Media Release

DEFENCE TO CONTRACT OUT GARRISON SUPPORT
SERVICES IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA

The Department of Defence expects to save up to 38 per cent of future costs through a five-year contract worth about $98 million for garrison support services in the Northern Territory and Kimberley region.

The preferred tenderer selected to provide services in Northern Australia is SERCo-Gardner Merchant Pty Ltd.

The services provided under the contract will include cleaning and waste removal, grounds maintenance, laundry and dry cleaning, catering and accommodation, domestic transport, security, management of recreational and physical training facilities and support for training exercises on military ranges.

The contracted services will be provided at Navy base HMAS COONAWARRA, Army units based at Larrakeyah and Robertson Barracks, Air Force bases at Darwin and Tindal, four telecommunication stations, five ranges and training areas and 11 NORFORCE Army Reserve depots.

SERCo-Gardner Merchant was selected as the preferred tenderer from six companies as well as an in-house submission from Defence personnel.

The contract services will be gradually phased in from about May 1999.

It is expected that this contract will create a number of additional employment opportunities for the local community. The military personnel currently working in affected areas will be redeployed to other Defence positions through the normal posting system.

Neil Orme (08) 8935 4466 (b/h) or 0411 221 598 (mobile)

Issued by the Defence Public Affairs Organisation, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT, 2600

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