Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program

Nation building infrastructure

Quality

Better planned, built and maintained infrastructure

Inclusive

Inclusive infrastructure connecting everyone and every province

Local

Supporting local jobs and local industry

The Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) is Australia’s flagship 10-year AUD276 million/SBD1.65 billion partnership with Solomon Islands to create local economic opportunities through a large pipeline of economic infrastructure projects. Launched in June 2021, SIIP has two goals:

Enhance the capacity of government and the private sector to plan, manage, finance, construct and/or maintain critical infrastructure
Deliver resilient, accessible infrastructure assets across the country that support inclusive economic growth.

SIIP will deliver four outcomes for Solomon Islands:

Greater access to international infrastructure finance
Improved planning & policy settings to support quality and inclusion
Construction of high quality, priority infrastructure
Improved skills and capacity to plan, build and maintain quality infrastructure.
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“SIIP takes a holistic and inclusive approach to improving the quality and access to infrastructure in Solomon Islands.”

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare

“Inclusive, quality infrastructure means engaging with the communities using it, and supporting government and the private sector to plan, finance, build and maintain quality assets.”

Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Dr Lachlan Strahan (former)

Fund

AUD276 million
SBD1.65 billion

Period

10-years to 2031

Funded by

The Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

Our progress

Inclusion

12 site visits
41 community consultations
129 stakeholder consultations

Infrastructure

9 projects scoped
6 projects in design
2 projects under construction

Local jobs

Created 98 subcontractor jobs
Employed 17 local staff

Local Benefits

106,000 people to benefit from upgraded markets

Current projects

Project	Activity	Value
Bina Harbour Project	SIIP is financing a major water and sanitation feasibility study for the proposed tuna processing plant and Bina township, a critical step in progressing the overall Bina Harbour Project. This nation-building activity is being led by the Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resources with support from New Zealand and the International Finance Corporation.	AUD0.7m
Buala Market Redevelopment	SIIP is redeveloping markets across Solomon Islands to grow local economies. A new market has been identified for Buala, with design underway.	AUD3.3m (for all markets construction)
Buala Wharf Redevelopment	SIIP will construct a new climate resilient domestic shipping wharf, barge landing, shelter and toilet block, and build a large protective sea wall. The project, when connected with the new Buala Market, will connect Isabel to Honiara and other provinces, and help transform Isabel’s economy.	AUD11.8m
Gizo Water Supply Project	Provide funding to Solomon Water to help deliver a new, safe, clean, reliable, and sustainable supply of water for Gizo town. The delivery of clean and reliable water will provide significant health and economic benefits for the community and tourism sectors.	SIIP contribution of AUD10m
Honiara Central Market Extension	In partnership with Honiara City Council, SIIP is funding the design and construction of an extension to the western end of the Central Honiara Market, providing all-weather protection for sellers. The project is expected to be completed by the end of October.	SIIP contribution AUD1m.
Malu'u Market Redevelopment	SIIP is redeveloping markets across Solomon Islands to grow local economies. A new market has been identified for Malu’u, with design underway.	AUD3.3m (for all markets construction)
Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre	SIIP is delivering the flagship Australia-Ministry of Health and Medical Services Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre. The redesigned 34-bed facility will improve health outcomes for one of the Pacific’s fastest growing population centres. The SBD150m project includes construction, and commitments to support staff training and ongoing maintenance.	AUD27m
Noro Port Redevelopment	SIIP is supporting Solomon Ports to upgrade Noro Port wharves and facilities. The project will create opportunities for local businesses and increase capacity for fisheries exports. SIIP will undertake the feasibility and design studies needed to secure funding of overall project delivery.	AUD1.5m
Seghe Airport Upgrade	SIIP is co-funding upgrades to Seghe airport with the Ministry of Communication and Aviation and New Zealand. Preparatory works are underway with runway extension and sealing works to commence after the completion of Taro airfield. Due to complete in April 2024.	AUD23.15m (Seghe and Taro)
Seghe Market Redevelopment	SIIP is redeveloping markets across Solomon Islands to grow local economies. A new market has been identified for Seghe, with design underway.	AUD3.3m (for all markets construction)
Taro Airport Upgrade	SIIP is co-funding upgrades to Taro airport with the Ministry of Communication and Aviation and New Zealand. Works are underway with construction to be completed in August 2023.	AUD23.15m (Seghe and Taro)
Industry Capacity Development	SIIP is runs regular Workforce Skills Series workshops to increase the skills and knowledge of building, engineering and supply contractors.

What's new

SIIP rolls out second skills workshop

Media Release

1 February 2023

Over 80 local building and supply contractors attended the Australian funded Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program’s (SIIP) second Workforce Skills Series workshop, held in partnership with Solomon Water, designed to lift the quality and competitiveness of the local private sector.

Australia’s SBD1.65-billion infrastructure partnership with Solomon Islands is delivering the free professional development series to promote local content opportunities through better skills, knowledge, and expertise for local companies to create more local jobs and deliver quality results.

Ground-breaking for Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre

Media Release

23 January 2023

The Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana and the Australian High Commissioner Dr Lachlan Strahan participated in a ground-breaking ceremony yesterday for the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre. The Centre is a flagship SBD150 million investment in the health of Solomon Islanders funded by the Australian Government.

Australian Infrastructure Program approves 2031 Roadmap and Local Content Strategy

Media Release

27 December 2023

The Australian and Solomon Islands Governments have approved a 2031 Roadmap for SIIP which outlines a pathway to boost connectivity in the country by building robust and high-quality economic infrastructure. Local content will play a vital role in realising the Roadmap.

At the quarterly SIIP Steering Committee meeting on 7 December, Co-Chair and Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Jimmie Rodgers said, “the Roadmap will help to harness the transformative potential of the remaining eight years of Australia’s ten-year infrastructure investment to stimulate economic development in Solomon Islands”.

Australia-Solomon Islands to build climate resilient Buala Wharf

Media Release

21 December 2022

The Australian-funded Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program will build a new wharf and barge landing area for Buala, the primary freight point for Isabel Province. The project is valued at a SBD45 million (AUD8.6 million).

Accessible infrastructure for all

Media Release

2 December 2022

SIIP is acknowledging this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December) by highlighting infrastructure’s vital role in creating
'transformative solutions for inclusive development’ – this year’s theme.

“Well-designed and well-constructed infrastructure can either transform the lives of people using it, or create barriers to social and economic opportunities for all,” said SIIP Team Leader Ms Eleanor Fenton.

Local infrastructure industry opportunities

Media release

9 September 2022

The Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) engaged with local and international construction businesses and suppliers in Honiara this week with an industry briefing about the Australian-funded economic infrastructure program, which promises to deliver local jobs and local industry opportunities.

Speaking at the event opening, SIIP Steering Committee member and Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination, Susan Sulu, said firms who were considering working on SIIP projects should understand SIIP’s twin goals.

Safe, clean, reliable and sustainable water supply for Gizo

Media release

9 September 2022

The Australian-funded Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) and Solomon Water will establish a new water supply system in Gizo. The SIIP Steering Committee approved a funding contribution of SBD56 million (AUD10 million) for the project in their fourth meeting on 1 September 2022.

The Gizo Water Supply Project will deliver a safe, clean, reliable, and sustainable supply of water for Gizo town.

Making nature part of the solution

Opinion from the Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Published in Solomon Star and Island Sun newpapers.

16 September 2022

"...Infrastructure delivered by the Australian-funded Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) will be green, not grey. SIIP’s Climate Change and Disaster Resilience Strategy explains how SIIP will support the Solomon Islands Government to plan, deliver and maintain infrastructure that is resilient to the impacts of climate change and natural disasters...'

Australia-Solomon infrastructure partnership supports Noro Port upgrade

Media release

15 May 2022

Australia’s flagship Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) in May to support the upgrade of the country’s second largest port in Noro, Western Province.

SIIP will deliver a detailed design to increase the capacity and efficiency of Noro Port which processes both domestic and international shipping, including passenger, freight and fishing fleets.

SIIP to redevelop six provincial markets

Media release

8 March 2022

Australia’s flagship Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) has agreed to fast track redevelopment of six markets across Malaita, Guadalcanal, Honiara, Isabel and Western Province, improve provincial ports and launch a new SIIP website. SIIP is in its first phase of implementation. Work on the markets project is expected to commence by December 2022.

These priorities were set at SIIP’s second joint Steering Committee meeting, co-chaired by Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Jimmie Rodgers and Australian High Commissioner Dr Lachlan Strahan. Given the volume of high-profile and urgent work coming down the SIIP pipeline, the Committee agreed to increase its meetings from every six months to quarterly.

Read all news

What we do

SIIP focuses on infrastructure that drives growth and the economy. Our activities and strategic direction are set by a high level bilateral SIIP Steering Committee and guided by a long term Roadmap 2030. The Steering Committee is co-chaired by the Secretary to the Prime Minister and the Australian High Commissioner. Membership also includes the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of National Planning and Development Coordination, Finance and Treasury, and Infrastructure Development. Australia's Deputy High Commissioner is also a member. The Steering Committee reviews program progress and performance, and ensures program funding is committed and spent in effective and efficient ways.

Construction of high quality, priority infrastructure

Greater access to international infrastructure finance

Increased capability of government and industry

Improved planning and policy settings to support inclusive, quality infrastructure

Our guiding principles

Five guiding principles drive SIIP decision-making

Alignment

with Solomon Islands’ and Australian development objectives.

Inclusive

gender, disability and geographical spread (rural/provincial).

Safety and quality

strengthening policies and practices.

Strengthening climate change and disaster resilience

integrated into infrastructure planning, design and delivery.

Local content

infrastructure that supports the local economy, strengthens local industry, improves industry practices, and enhances workforce capacity and participation.

Local content: Growing jobs and opportunities

Growing local jobs and opportunities is one of SIIP’s five key principles. The Steering Committee has also determined that every SIIP-supported investment must be planned, designed, procured and constructed to optimize local content outcomes.

Prioritising and designing infrastructure developments around local content means more jobs and more economic opportunities to support the nation’s recovery from COVID-19. SIIP will help create jobs both in the construction sector and within the communities we work with. Each SIIP activity will prioritise industry skills, training opportunities and the use of local materials. SIIP will balance these local content principles with delivering quality, resilient infrastructure.

Work with us

Join us and help deliver nation-building infrastructure projects and capacity around Solomon Islands!

Infrastructure Policy and Governance Lead

Long-term adviser role based in Honiara, Solomon Islands

The Infrastructure Policy and Governance Lead will primarily be responsible for overseeing and coordinating SIIP’s workstream in support of End of Program Outcome (EOPO) 1: the Solomon Islands will have enhanced capacity to plan, manage, finance, construct and maintain critical economic infrastructure. This will involve developing, managing and monitoring a range of technical and capacity building support to the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) central and line agencies in SIIP priority areas of policy, planning, regulation, and infrastructure project development. In addition to managing a team of technical personnel based both remotely and in-country, the role will provide SIG central and line agencies with relevant, timely and high-quality advice on policies and implementation for inclusive infrastructure planning, financing, construction and maintenance.

Applications close Sunday 26 March 2023, 5pm SBT (extended from original date)

Should this role be of interest, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Kindly note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Applicants will be screened on a rolling basis.

Access the online application and terms of reference from DT Global's website. Enquires can be emailed to recruitment@siip.com.sb quoting Infrastructure Policy and Governance Lead in the subject line.

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