Media Release

DPAO 347/99 Tuesday, November 30, 1999

DEFENCE TO CONTRACT-OUT GARRISON SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE SYDNEY NORTH-WEST AND NSW SOUTH COAST REGIONS

Defence has selected Serco Gardner Merchant as the tenderer with which it plans to negotiate a contract to carry out a wide range of garrison support services at military establishments in the Sydney North-West area and NSW South Coast region.

Serco Gardner Merchant was chosen from a range of companies and In-House Options that responded to a Request for Tender (for the Sydney North-West region) and Request For Quotation (for the NSW South Coast region) released on March 3.

The contract will provide (in both regions):

  • Physical security services for military areas,
  • All catering requirements and management of barracks accommodation,
  • Management and provision of stores support services,
  • Grounds maintenance and pest control services,
  • Cleaning of buildings and removal of garbage and waste,
  • A clothing store service,
  • Laundry and dry cleaning services, and
  • Fire fighting.

and additionally in the NSW South Coast region

  • A ship's canteen,
  • General services, and
  • Aircraft refuelling.


Establishments to be covered by the contract include RAAF Bases Richmond and Glenbrook, Defence Establishment Orchard Hills, 2nd/17th Battalion Royal New South Wales Regiment at Blacktown, 5th Combat Engineer Regiment at Penrith in the Sydney North-West area; and HMASCRESWELL at Jervis Bay, HMAS ALBATROSS at Nowra, and a number of smaller units and depots in the NSW South Coast region.

Defence and the company are negotiating a five year contract worth about $69million for Sydney North-West and $82m for NSW South Coast.

The contract will absorb a number of services currently under contract and
is expected to reduce the overall cost of the services to Defence by around 27% in Sydney North-West and 25% in NSW South Coast. Contract operations will be phased in from February 2000.

The military personnel currently working in areas affected by the new contract will be redeployed through the normal Service postings. By civilianising their functions, it is expected that the contract will create a number of additional employment opportunities for the local community.

Further information:

Craig Mills
Tel: (02) 9600 4635

Fax: (02) 9600 1535

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

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