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.”

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)

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
9 industry trainings and events to 500 people

Infrastructure

17 projects in design, scoping or construction, in 7 provinces and Honiara

Local jobs

130 local jobs created
10 local contracts awarded

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	SIIP is redeveloping markets across Solomon Islands to grow local economies. A new market for Buala has been designed and construction has commenced.	AUD4.7m
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.	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 designed and will build five bus shelters along Mendana and Kukum Highways in Honiara in partnership with the Honiara City Council and Ministry of Infrastructure Development, These shelters are under construction and are scheduled to be completed by the end of June 2024.	AUD0.5m
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 under construction and is expected to be completed by the end of June 2024.	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 to Lata Hospital including all furniture, fixtures, equipment and has provided training. The lab will play an essential role in improving healthcare services and disease surveillance in the Solomon Islands.	AUD0.350m
Malaita South Road	SIIP is supporting Australia to scope and deliver long term upgrades to the South Road between Auki and Bina 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 SBD196m project includes construction, operational planning support for new facility and 3-5 years maintenance support.	AUD36m
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 for overall project delivery.	AUD5.8m
Seghe Airport Upgrade	SIIP is co-funding 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 scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024.	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	SIIP co-funded upgrades to Taro airport with the Ministry of Communication and Aviation and New Zealand including all-weather sealing and lighting to the runway. Runway, seawall and apron works were completed in 2023 with the existing terminal to be upgraded by the end of 2024.	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 is redeveloping markets across Solomon Islands to grow local economies. Minor refurbishment works were completed at Tulagi Market, Central Islands Province in April 2024.	AUD0.24m
Industry Capacity Development	SIIP runs regular Workforce Skills Series workshops 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

31 July 2024

Australia supports construction sector to deliver on time and on budget

Over 60 local industry representatives learnt how to better estimate costs for tendering for projects, helping them to win work and maintain a profitable, sustainable business.

22 July 2024

Australia supports local construction sector skills workshop

Since 2019, Australia has invested in over SBD5 billion in infrastructure in Solomon Islands, with over 460 projects delivered across all provinces by mostly local companies and local workers.

Capacity development local content Australia-Solomon Islands Partnership Economic Development

19 July 2024

Tulagi market redevelopment opened

Tulagi’s main market officially reopened following Australian-funded refurbishments, revitalising the Central Province capital with a more functional, accessible and climate resilient market.

Markets Infrastructure Partnership Australia-Solomon Islands Partnership Economic Development

18 July 2024

Honiara Central Market extension open for business

The eagerly awaited Honiara Central Market extension opened on Thursday 11 July 2024 with a large undercover space and stalls for 100 vendors.

Markets Infrastructure Partnership Economic Development Australia-Solomon Islands Partnership

09 July 2024

Honiara Bus Shelters are complete

Australian High Commission acting Counsellor Samantha Bell officially handed over the last of five new Honiara bus shelters to Honiara City Council Deputy Mayor Clement Terewauri, providing accessible, all-weather protection for thousands of travellers.

Bus Shelters Inclusive Development Infrastructure Partnership Economic Development

28 June 2024

Naha community briefed on Health Centre construction

Over 25 leaders from Naha and surrounding communities in East Honiara have endorsed the next steps for the construction of the new SBD250m/AUD45m Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre.

Infrastructure Partnership Birthing and Urban Health Centre Social Inclusion Australia-Solomon Islands Partnership

See all articles

Work with us

Communications Coordinator

Full time, local position, based in Honiara

Are you a media or communications professional with the love of telling stories in pictures, video or words? Do you have great organisational skills to help run community and industry events? We'd love to hear from you!

This is a great early career role for someone with some experience in media and communications to help capture and tell the stories of SIIP. In this busy role, every day will be different. You’ll be working in a diverse, multi-national and multidisciplinary team. Under the support and leadership of SIIP’s Communications Lead, you’ll be coordinating events, taking quality photos, interviewing people, talking with media and producing interesting and concise media and social media content using industry software.

About You

You’ll be curious, energetic, and have a natural flair and interest for design/video/photography. You’ll be highly organised and able to juggle multiple tasks at the same time. Here's what we are looking for:

A love of human interest story-telling
Ability to write clearly and concisely for a range of audiences and formats, in either English or Solomon Pijin
An eye for taking a good photo, and experience using photography, video and/or digital tools to create interesting content for social media
Undergraduate degree or other training in journalism, media or communications, or a related discipline
Professional experience in media, communications, or a compelling record of creating quality, interesting communications content.
Confidence, and a willingness to speak up and lead the development of a great communication idea within a team.
Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills and a drive to make a difference in a diverse multicultural environment.

Access the position description and online application form here (DT Global online application).

Applications close Monday 9 September 2024, 5.00pm AEST

Enquires can be emailed to recruitment@siip.com.sb quoting “Communications Coordinator” in the subject line.

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