“At Its Heart, It’s About People”

For Australia, the impact of its partnership with Solomon Islands is measured not only in infrastructure, but in the jobs, opportunities and stronger communities those investments can help create.

Noro, Western Province, Solomon Islands — For Thomas Hayes, Second Secretary Infrastructure at the Australian High Commission, the impact of Australia’s partnership with Solomon Islands is best understood not from a project document, but by seeing communities themselves put new infrastructure to work.

During a visit to Western Province, Mr Hayes travelled through communities, meeting people and seeing first-hand the work being delivered through CAUSE II and Australia’s broader infrastructure partnership with Solomon Islands.

In Noro, that experience included seeing newly completed footpaths, solar-powered lighting and a new fish market facility – investments designed not only to improve physical access and safety, but also to create opportunities for people and local businesses.

Speaking at the official handover of 10 completed CAUSE II community infrastructure sub-projects in Noro, Mr Hayes said he had been particularly encouraged by seeing the projects and their potential impact on everyday life.

The new footpaths, he noted, can make daily travel safer and easier for children going to school, while helping mothers transport goods to markets and enabling community members to access homes, services and workplaces.

The solar lights can improve safety after dark, while the new fish market is expected to provide further opportunities for market vendors. Improvements to landing facilities and market jetties can also strengthen connections between communities and support local economic activity.

But Mr Hayes stressed that the significance of CAUSE II extends beyond the infrastructure itself.

“At its heart it’s about people,” he said. “It’s about giving people jobs, giving people opportunities – not just to better themselves but to better their communities.”

That people-centred approach was also reflected in the remarks of CAUSE II Project Manager Cris Afable, who told the Noro community that the programme was intentionally designed to reach people who have often been left behind, particularly young people and women.

Rather than simply building infrastructure for communities, CAUSE II has sought to build it with communities – involving local people in design, delivery and maintenance, while strengthening the capacity of local structures to look after the assets once construction is complete.

For Mr Hayes, this community ownership is central to the partnership.

“The true legacy of CAUSE II isn’t going to be measured by the infrastructure we handover today,” he said, “but by the opportunities it creates, the communities it strengthens and the lasting benefits it will deliver for future generations across Western Province.”

The Noro handover formed part of a broader Australian partnership with Solomon Islands. Mr Hayes noted that Australia is Solomon Islands’ largest long-term infrastructure partner, with cooperation extending across renewable energy, infrastructure, education, health and security.

In Western Province, that partnership can be seen through investments including the upgrading of Seghe airfield, renewable energy installations at Goldie College and the recently opened Western border outpost, alongside Australia’s support for CAUSE II.

For CAUSE II, the partnership with Australia and the World Bank is ultimately expressed through practical opportunities at community level – from paid work and skills development to safer pathways, improved public spaces and facilities that can support local economic activity.

Mr Hayes also acknowledged the Solomon Islands Government, the World Bank, provincial leadership, community leaders, contractors and community members whose contributions have helped bring the projects to life.

“Your creative efforts have created assets that will continue to serve families and communities into the future for many years to come,” he said.

The completed infrastructure may be what communities can see today, but the broader partnership is intended to leave something less visible and potentially longer-lasting: greater opportunity for people and stronger communities across Western Province.

Implemented by the Solomon Islands Government, the CAUSE II Project is supported by the World Bank and the Australian Government through the PNG and Pacific Islands Umbrella Facility Multi-Donor Trust Fund.

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