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 livelihoods.

Solomon Islands – Australia Community Partnerships touch the lives of people in every province in Solomon Islands. That is why
Australia increased our community program fivefold over the last year, meaning we are funding more projects in Solomon Islands than ever before.
Australia has funded a record number of community projects in 2024 – with 100 projects across every province of Solomon Islands. This month I have approved sixty more projects across Solomon Islands, in addition to the forty we funded earlier this year. These sixty new projects represent almost SBD 15 million in direct funding to Solomon Islands businesses for building materials and transportation services before the end of the year.

Australia only gives money to Solomon Islands businesses for these projects, giving local businesses opportunities to supply good quality materials and create local jobs. These projects are delivered in partnership with communities across Solomon Islands, which construct the small-scale community infrastructure projects with a proud sense of ownership, knowing the positive impact the projects have on their communities.

Through these projects, there are 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. Twenty-seven of these projects will be co-funded with Members of Parliament, who recognise the importance of working with their constituencies.

I’m looking forward to celebrating with these important Solomon Islands leaders to acknowledge their important contribution to their constituencies at our awards night in December.

Solomon Islands – Australia Community Partnerships are designed to improve the living standards of people across Solomon Islands. For example, there are water access and WASH projects in Malaita Outer Islands, Ngella, Temotu Pele, Savo/Russells, East Makira, Central Guadalcanal, East Are’Are, Temotu VATUD, Ulawa-Ugi and Northeast Guadalcanal constituencies.

I’m excited to support women’s economic participation, by funding a small community women’s market house in Mwanibena in Central Makira for the first time. Australia is also funding a community footpath in Central Kwara’ae, and a community bridge in Wagina, South Choiseul.

Australia is investing in education infrastructure through these grants, with a school fence in Northwest Guadalcanal, a staff house in Gao/Bugotu and classrooms in Hograno/Kia/Havulei, Temotu Nende and East Honiara. I know electricity doesn’t yet reach
many parts of Solomon Islands, making life hard for health clinics to help sick people, or for schools to teach students, or communities to feel safe at night. I’ve approved solar lighting projects for streetlights in West New Georgia/Vona Vona, Maringe/Kokota, Ranonga/Simbo, Small Malaita and the Rennell & Bellona Provincial Headquarters. In addition, three schools in Marovo, East Kwaio and West Kwaio and a clinic in Ranonga/Simbo will have solar powered electricity installed for the first time thanks to this funding.

I’ve listened to Solomon Islands communities and Members of Parliament tell me how important it is for communities across the country to have infrastructure to improve livelihoods. I am looking forward to visiting the new and existing projects in 2024 and seeing the impact of the Solomon Islands – Australia Partnership

Lukim iu neks taem!