# Australia backs stronger coastlines and communities in the Pacific

Date: 7 Oct 2026
Released by: Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy; Pat Conroy, Minister for Pacific Island Affairs

## MediaRelease.co Summary

Australia will invest $3 million in the Climate Infrastructure for Resilient Coastlines and Riverbanks (CIRCAR) project, which helps Pacific communities protect infrastructure from climate impacts. The project combines mangrove planting and revegetation with seawalls to protect sites including Papua New Guinea's Wau-Bulolo Highway, Fiji's Kings and Queens roads, and cable landing sites in Kiribati and Tuvalu.

## Original release

Australia will invest $3 million to help Pacific island nations protect infrastructure and communities from the impacts of climate change through the Climate Infrastructure for Resilient Coastlines and Riverbanks (CIRCAR) project. CIRCAR works with local communities to protect coastlines and riverbanks. It blends nature-based solutions such as revegetation of eroding land, agriforestry and mangrove planting with structures including seawalls. With support from the Australian Government, the CIRCAR project is delivering solutions to protect four key infrastructure developments in the Pacific: - The Wau-Bulolo Highway in Morobe Province in Papua New Guinea. - Kings Road and Queens Road, in Central and Western Provinces in Fiji. - The East Micronesia Cable landing site in Nanikaai, Tarawa, Kiribati. - The landing site of the VAKA undersea telecommunications cable in Tuvalu being delivered through the Falepili Union. The CIRCAR project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP). The project is delivered by not-for-profit organisation Live & Learn Environmental Education in partnership with engineering firm ARUP. Quote attributable to Minister Wong: “Protecting critical infrastructure in the Pacific is important for the communities that rely on it, and for Australia. “This investment will help safeguard the roads, telecommunications links and other infrastructure that connect our region.” Quotes attributable to Minister Bowen: “Our support will help protect road and communication infrastructure in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Kiribati and Tuvalu. “Without action, climate-driven damage would sever these vital links and cut off the communities that rely on them. “We're working with the Pacific to minimise the impacts of climate change and deliver resilient infrastructure where it's needed.” Quote attributable to Minister Conroy: “Pacific communities are leading the way on practical solutions to the challenges facing their coastlines and infrastructure. “By combining traditional knowledge with nature-based approaches—such as planting mangroves—and resilient infrastructure, this project will help protect communities, livelihoods and vital connections across our region.”

## Key details

- Author/spokesperson: Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy; Pat Conroy, Minister for Pacific Island Affairs
- Published: 7 Oct 2026
- Publisher country: Australia
- Subject country/region: National (Australia)
- Original source: https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/australia-backs-stronger-coastlines-and-communities-pacific
- MediaRelease.co URL: https://mediarelease.co/au/mr01433-australia-backs-stronger-coastlines-and-communities-in-the-pacific-07102026.html

Original source: https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/australia-backs-stronger-coastlines-and-communities-pacific
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