Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program

Nation building infrastructure

See our Current Projects

Quality

Better planned, built and maintained infrastructure

Inclusive

Inclusive infrastructure connecting everyone and every province

Download our GEDSI Strategy

Local

Supporting local jobs and local industry

Workforce Skills Series

Upskilling Solomon Islands workforce

Find out more

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
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

11 October 2024

Officials Undertake Infrastructure Study Tour in Australia

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.

Capacity development SI-Aus Partnership

29 September 2024

Australia’s lasting legacy

Quality infrastructure makes assets cheaper for the Solomon Islands to operate and maintain, long after the ribbon is cut.

Quality Asset Management SI-Aus Partnership

27 September 2024

Foundations Commence at Naha Birthing And Urban Health Centre

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.

Naha Maternal and child health Infrastructure Partnership

27 September 2024

Inclusive Workplaces are Good for Everyone

Representatives from the Solomon Islands construction sector heard powerful stories from people with disabilities working in infrastructure and the valuable contributions they make.

Disability Inclusive Development Capacity development

20 September 2024

New Buala Market Underway

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.

Markets Economic Development Isabel Province Women Empowerment

15 August 2024

Australia to revitalise Malaita’s South Road

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.

Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership Economic Development local content

See all articles

Work with us

Infrastructure Adviser

Short-term, home-based adviser with in-country inputs.

The Infrastructure Adviser will provide support to the Infrastructure Delivery Workstream to ensure projects are delivered within the agreed timeframes and in accordance with the SIIP statement of requirements, DT Global’s construction policies, and the agreed design and construction standards.

Essential Experience and Knowledge

Tertiary qualifications in a relevant area such as: Engineering, Construction, Project Management or a related discipline.
Extensive professional experience in infrastructure project delivery/management.
Thorough understanding of the infrastructure delivery challenges in the Solomon Islands or similar country.
Demonstrated ability to effectively manage design consultants and subcontractors.
Demonstrated competency in the management and administration of contracts (e.g., AS4000, AS4300and AS4906, Early Contractor Involvement Head Contract (International).
Understanding of, and commitment to, capacity development and skills transfer activities.
Understanding of, and demonstrated commitment to, gender equality and social inclusion.
Demonstrated analytical and conceptual skills to reason through problems, issues and risks, anticipate barriers and create practical solutions to achieve project objectives.

To access the full terms of reference and apply online, please visit DT Global's website here.

Applications close: 17 November 2024.

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