The overall initiative, known as the Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant Project, is being developed by the Solomon Islands Government in partnership with the private sector.
Funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the feasibility study requires SMEC to assess the viability of water sources, transmission and treatment for the Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant Project, including the surrounding villages, and the facility’s sanitation and wastewater treatment and disposal requirements. SMEC’s services include demand forecasts for water supply and sewerage assessments, water supply options assessment, sanitation assessment, power supply requirements, economic and financial analyses, and environmental and social safeguards assessment.
The planned Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant Project is expected to create thousands of jobs, generate foreign direct investments and help provide economic security for the Solomon Islands. Technical design work on the project is expected to continue for the next 12 months, at which point the Solomons Government should be in a position to start thinking about choosing an investor.
“We are excited for this opportunity to contribute to this important project, which if shown to be feasible will have a big impact on the economy and people of the Solomon Islands,” said Norman Walker, SMEC’s ASEAN Urban Water Sector Manager. “We will leverage the proven capability of our team of international experts and SMEC’s experience in undertaking water supply and wastewater projects in the region to be able to deliver a detailed feasibility study to the client.”
SMEC has built strong relationships with clients and other stakeholders in the Solomon Islands since it started operating locally in 1977 and has delivered a number of projects in the water and environment, transport infrastructure, energy, urban and social development, education and governance and government advisory sectors. SMEC is currently working with Solomon Water on another project, the detailed engineering design of the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project – Phase 2.
Map showing Bina Harbour survey areas.
Specialists from SMEC’s Water Resources team will deliver technical presentations at the 2023 Floodplain Management Australia National Conference in Sydney. The annual event has been hosted by the FMA for over 50 years, and is the most esteemed flood risk management forum of its kind in Australia.
The SMEC RITES JV has been overseeing the management and implementation of the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC) project since early 2022, with foundation stone laid in October 2022 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
SMEC has been engaged by DT Global, through the Australian Government-funded Economic and Social Infrastructure Program (ESIP), to undertake a feasibility study for the rehabilitation of the Pauanda Hydropower Project in Papua New Guinea.
SMEC’s bridge structures specialists are presenting technical papers at the 2023 Australian Small Bridges Conference, Australasia’s largest bridge exhibition, held on the Gold Coast, Australia. The Conference will feature a comprehensive exhibition, providing attendees the opportunity to view and discuss innovative products and services now available from bridge contractors, designers and suppliers.