Early insights from our FNQ business resilience program

Resilient Ready has just wrapped up the first stage of our business resilience program in the Douglas Shire – and the energy, passion and openness of the local business community have set a powerful foundation for what comes next.

Over a week across Port Douglas, Mossman, Daintree and Cape Tribulation, Fiona Jago connected with business owners, operators and local champions who care deeply about their region and want to see it thrive. The conversations were honest, constructive and future-focused, revealing a community ready to build capability and strengthen resilience in practical, meaningful ways.

A business community ready for the next chapter

Douglas Shire businesses are navigating a unique blend of seasonal rhythms, tourism patterns, and regional characteristics. Yet what stood out most was not the challenges – it was the determination.

Across industries, people shared a clear appetite to:

• strengthen their business foundations

• explore opportunities for diversification

• improve disaster preparedness

• and connect more deeply with peers and partners

Businesses were generous with their stories and thoughtful about the future. This first visit confirmed what we already knew: the Shire has strong operators who want to be even stronger.

Resilience built on connection, clarity and shared learning

One of the themes emerging from Visit #1 was the importance of connection – business to business, business to community, and business to Council. Many operators expressed a desire for clearer pathways, more shared knowledge and easier ways to learn from one another.

This aligns perfectly with Resilient Ready’s approach: practical tools, simple language, and everyday actions that build confidence over time.

Our upcoming online learning bundle will offer ten short, tailored topics designed to meet local needs. These micro-modules (developed from what we heard on the ground) will give business owners easy access to guidance they can use immediately, at their own pace.

Why this matters for the Douglas Shire

Douglas Shire is a region known for its world-class environment and visitor experiences, and equally known for the resilience of its people. Building business confidence and capability ensures the whole community can continue to grow, adapt and succeed, no matter what changes or disruptions arise.

This program is about equipping local businesses with tools that:

• strengthen decision-making

• support long-term sustainability

• enhance disaster readiness

• and build stronger local networks

The early signs are promising, and we’re excited about what’s possible as the program evolves.

Thank you to the FNQ business community

To everyone who showed up, shared insights, or opened their doors, thank you. Your willingness to engage is already shaping a program that reflects the true spirit of Douglas Shire: proactive, collaborative and determined.

We look forward to returning in 2026 for the next chapter of this resilience journey together.

Resilient Ready is a social enterprise delivering innovative solutions to enable every organisation to thrive before, during and after disasters. To keep updated on news and current projects, sign up to our newsletter.