Australia delivers two major infrastructure projects in Solomon Islands, supporting border security, healthcare and communities
In the last two weeks, I’ve witnessed something incredible happen in Solomon Islands. On Monday last week, I accompanied Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, and Deputy Prime Minister Sade to Lofung in the Shortland Islands to open the Solomon Islands’ new Western Border Outpost facility. And on Wednesday this week I was privileged to join the formal opening ceremony of the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre in Honiara.
These two fantastic facilities are now online and operating, and represent over SBD830 million in Australian financial support for crucial national infrastructure in Solomon Islands. That number represents grant financing – not loans. There is nothing to repay. The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and Honiara City Council are now the proud owners and operators of two pieces of world-class infrastructure, dedicated to improving the lives of Solomon Islanders.
That’s not to say that Australia plans to hand over the keys and walk away – that’s not how we do business. From the very beginning of these projects, we’ve been working to ensure they’re sustainable and well-integrated into support systems.
The Western Border Outpost will fundamentally transform the way the Solomon Islands Government maintains security throughout Solomon Islands’ western and northern approaches. The facility will bring together the RSIPF, Customs, Immigration and Biosecurity officials in a single location for the first time, enhancing interagency coordination and strengthening border management operations.
The Western Border Outpost comes with its own maintenance and sustainment package, and the facility is highly resilient and sustainable, maximising the use of renewable energy and water harvesting.
Local companies and workers played a vital role in construction, with 368 jobs created and more than 1,000 contracts awarded to local businesses. That means Solomon Islanders have the skills and experience to maintain the facility well into the future. And our support for security infrastructure in Solomon Islands won’t stop there: our Defence Cooperation Program is also working to deliver other key infrastructure across Solomon Islands, including the Eastern Border Outpost and a new Police Academy for the RSIPF.
Australia’s support for the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre is built on the same principles of strong partnership and smart, long-term investment.
Working closely with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara City Council and Naha community groups, we have focused on ensuring the Centre is ready to provide high-quality care from day one.
Health workers have been trained to use a new digital patient management system – the first of its kind in Solomon Islands. It replaces 22 separate paper forms, streamlining patient registration, record keeping and follow-up care.
The Centre also features Solomon Islands’ first nurse call system and will provide a comprehensive range of services, including X-ray, ultrasound and laboratory testing, maternal and child health care, and advanced dental services equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
Australia is also providing the Centre with a brand new, fully equipped ambulance. Most importantly, the Centre has been shaped by the community it serves. Extensive consultation throughout the design and construction process has helped ensure the services provided reflect the priorities and needs of local people.
There’s always a lot going on under the Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership, but this has been a huge two weeks even by our standards. SBD830 million in infrastructure investment, now operational and working for the people of Solomon Islands, with not a cent in loans to pay back. Done, as always, in partnership with the people of this beautiful country.
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