Serco Group plc ("Serco") today announces that its joint venture with Sodexho Alliance has renewed and expanded its contract with the Australian Defence Force to deliver garrison support services to defence bases, in the Sydney South West region of New South Wales.   The contract is worth up to $Aus200million (c£84million) to Serco over a term of up to nine years.  

Under the new performance based contract, Serco Sodexho Defence Services will provide a range of base support services, including weapon ranges, aircraft refuelling, security, fire and emergency response, environmental services and hospitality services.

The contract will commence in October 2005, with 200 new jobs and 500 existing employees in the region. Alliances will be formed with local suppliers, to the benefit of local communities.

Serco Group Chief Executive, Christopher Hyman said:

“This win confirms Serco’s position with its partner Sodexho, as the leading provider in Garrison Support Services to the Australian Defence Force.   We look forward to maintaining and strengthening our relationships in the region, and providing excellent services to our clients and their personnel.

“We are particularly pleased with this award, following Serco’s decision to focus primarily on defence and transport activities in Australia.”