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The Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) is Australia’s 10-year 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
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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.”
(Former) 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.”
(Former) Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Dr Lachlan Strahan
Period
10-years to 2031
Funded by
The Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
Our progress (as at October 2024)
Inclusion
41 community consultations
129 stakeholder consultations
Infrastructure
4 projects completed and 12 projects underway in design, scoping or construction across 7 provinces and Honiara
Local jobs
296 local workers engaged
9 local contracts awarded
Over 20 industry training and workshops
Local benefits
106,000 people to benefit from upgraded markets
Current projects
| Project | Description | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Bina Harbour Project | Financed by SIIP, Solomon Water has completed a major water and sanitation feasibility study for the proposed tuna processing plant and Bina township. This is a critical step in progressing the overall Bina Harbour Project which 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 | Construction of a new market for Buala has commenced. SIIP is redeveloping markets across Solomon Islands to grow local economies. | AUD4.7m |
| Buala Wharf Redevelopment | SIIP will construct a new climate resilient domestic wharf and facilities. The project, when connected with the new Buala Market, will connect Isabel to Honiara and other provinces, and help transform Isabel’s economy. | AUD8.6m |
| 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 Bus Shelters | SIIP has completed the construction of five accessible bus shelters along Mendana and Kukum Highways in Honiara in partnership with the Honiara City Council and Ministry of Infrastructure Development. | AUD0.5m |
| Honiara Central Market Extension | SIIP has completed the construction of an extension to the western end of the Honiara Central Market in July 2024. The extension provides all-weather protection for over 100 sellers. The project was designed and delivered in partnership with Honiara City Council by an all-Solomon Islands workforce | SIIP contribution AUD1.9m |
| Kirakira Market Redevelopment | SIIP is redeveloping markets across Solomon Islands to grow local economies. Scoping is underway to redevelop the existing Kirakira Market | AUD0.405m |
| Lata Bio-medical Lab | SIIP has installed a prefabricated laboratory at Lata Hospital, Temotu Province, including equipment and training. The lab will play an essential role in improving healthcare services and disease surveillance in the Solomon Islands. The lab was opened in September2024. | AUD0.350m |
| Malaita South Road | SIIP is supporting the redevelopment of the Malaita South Road between Auki and Bina. Design is underway to increase resilience to climate change and flooding. | TBC |
| Malu'u Market Redevelopment | SIIP is redeveloping markets across Solomon Islands to grow local economies. A new market for Malu’u has been designed with construction to soon be underway. | AUD4.7m |
| Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre | SIIP is delivering the Australia-Ministry of Health and Medical Services Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre. The redesigned 22-bed facility will improve health outcomes for one of the Pacific’s fastest growing population centres. The SBD250m project includes construction, operational planning support for new facility and 3-5 years maintenance support. Construction commenced in August 2024 and is expected to take 18 months. | AUD45m |
| Noro Port Redevelopment | SIIP is supporting Solomon Ports to upgrade Noro Port international wharf and facilities. The project will create opportunities for local businesses and maintain the port's capacity to process international shipping. SIIP will undertake the feasibility and design studies needed to secure funding for overall project delivery. Design and consultation is currently underway. | AUD5.8m |
| Seghe Airport Upgrade | Australia, through SIIP, has co-funded upgrades to Seghe airport with the Ministry of Communication and Aviation and New Zealand, including all-weather sealing and lighting to the runway. Works are complete. | AUD23.15m (Seghe and Taro) |
| Seghe Market Redevelopment | SIIP is redeveloping markets across Solomon Islands to grow local economies. A new market for Malu’u has been designed with construction to soon be underway. | AUD4.7m |
| Taro Airport Upgrade | Australia, through SIIP, has co-funded upgrades to Seghe airport with the Ministry of Communication and Aviation and New Zealand, including all-weather sealing and lighting to the runway. Works are complete. | AUD23.15m (Seghe and Taro) |
| Tenaru Market Redevelopment | SIIP is redeveloping markets across Solomon Islands to grow local economies. A new market house for Tenaru in East Guadalcanal is currently under scoping. | AUD4.35m |
| Tulagi Market Refurbishment | SIIP has completed refurbishment of Tulagi Market, Central Islands Province, providing new roofing, water tanks, an area for selling fish and constructing accessibility ramps. The works were completed by an all-Solomon Islands workforce. | AUD0.24m |
| Industry Capacity Development | SIIP runs regular Workforce Skills Series workshops and tailored training and mentoring to increase the skills and knowledge of building, engineering and supply contractors. |
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.
Read more about SIIP's approach to local content in our Local Content Policy and Local Content Strategy publications, or download SIIP's Workforce Skills Series workshop slides on Local Content
Latest News
Eleven planning and policy officials from government and Honiara City Council are in Australia this week to study how to better plan, finance, deliver and maintain infrastructure projects in Solomon Islands.
Quality infrastructure makes assets cheaper for the Solomon Islands to operate and maintain, long after the ribbon is cut.
Major earthworks at the new SBD250m Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre in Honiara are now complete, with the pouring of concrete foundations commencing over the weekend.
Representatives from the Solomon Islands construction sector heard powerful stories from people with disabilities working in infrastructure and the valuable contributions they make.
Construction of the new, climate resilient Buala Market has passed a critical milestone, with the protective sea wall nearing completion and market house foundations now underway.
Australia through SIIP will provide over SBD70 million in infrastructure support to make the Malaita South Road more reliable and climate resilient for communities and commerce.