From the High Commissioner’s Desk – Rod Hilton

With most of Solomon Islands’ population living in rural areas, I know how important it is for communities to have quality infrastructure that improves their lives.

That is why Australia has increased our Community Partnerships Program fivefold since 2023, meaning we are funding more of these kinds of projects in Solomon Islands than ever before.

In 2024, Australia funded a record 100 community projects across every province of Solomon Islands. This month we broke our own record, and have approved funding for fifty-seven new projects across Solomon Islands, bringing our total for this year to 108 projects!

These fifty-seven new projects represent more than SBD 13 million in direct funding to Solomon Islands businesses for building materials and transportation services. Australia chooses Solomon Islands’ businesses to supply these projects, because it creates local jobs, and that means more benefits for local families and communities.

These projects are delivered in partnership with communities across Solomon Islands, because local people know best what support they need to overcome their own challenges. There are now hundreds of communities across Solomon Islands that are a part of the Solomon Islands – Australia Partnership.

We’ve also had a record number of Members of Parliament working with us to deliver these projects. My team greatly enjoyed celebrating with these MPs at our Awards Night for new Project Coordinators last week, where we acknowledged their important contribution to their constituencies development.

Solomon Islands – Australia Community Partnerships are designed to improve the living standards of people across Solomon Islands. In this round, for example, there are water access and WASH projects in South Choiseul, Central Guadalcanal, West Makira, Aoke/Langalanga, Central Kwara’ae, Rennell & Bellona, Temotu Nende, North Vella La Vella and South Vella La Vella Constituencies. We’re also funding renovation upgrades to a rural health clinic in South New Georgia/Rendova/Tetepare.

I’ve loved visiting community halls across Solomon Islands – they’re a key part of building community cohesion and providing a place for people to gather. That’s why Australia has approved funding in this round for community halls, disaster shelters and market houses in East Central Guadalcanal, North Guadalcanal, Gao/Bugotu, Hograno/Kia/Havulei and East Are’Are Constituencies. We’re also funding a basketball court in Rennell and Bellona!

Australia is investing in education infrastructure through this round of Community Partnerships, with school fences in North and Northwest Guadalcanal; staff houses in North Guadalcanal and East Makira a school hall in Northwest Guadalcanal and a dormitory in Hograno/Kia/Havulei; and classrooms in Malaita Outer Islands and Ranonga/Simbo.

I know electricity is still a challenge for many parts of Solomon Islands, making it hard for health clinics to help sick people, or for schools to teach students, or communities to feel safe at night. In this round I’ve approved solar powered street lighting projects in Ngella, West Guadalcanal, Central Honiara, East Honiara, Gao/Bugotu, Maringe/Kokota, Central Kwara’ae, East Are’Are, Fataleka, Rennell & Bellona, Gizo/Kolombangara, Marovo, North New Georgia and Ranonga/Simbo Constituencies.

Solomon Islands communities and Members of Parliament have told us how important it is for communities across the country to have infrastructure to improve everyday life. I’m proud to say that Australia has listened and responded with this record-breaking funding round.

I am looking forward to visiting new and existing projects in 2026 and seeing the growing impact of the Solomon Islands – Australia Partnership across this wonderful country.

Lukim yu neks taem!