Supporting local businesses in Tablelands, FNQ to build disaster resilience

Taking a new approach to building business community resilience

Resilient Ready likes nothing more than to collaborate with great people in Councils – especially when it comes to building disaster resilience.

This time we’re working with the Tablelands Regional Council in Far North Queensland on a business community resilience program. One that’s just right for them.

Led by Renae Hanvin and Fiona Jago, this place-based initiative strengthens local capability through practical conversations, targeted learning and ongoing engagement with business owners and local chambers.

Designed specifically for the Tablelands region, the program brings together in-person discussions, bespoke online learning, and nudge-theory capability building to help local businesses prepare for disruption, adapt to change and thrive long term.

I can't wait to connect with the local businesses and show how small steps can make a big change for the whole community.

Fiona Jago
Lived Expertise Facilitator

What the bespoke FNQ program includes 

1. Local chamber conversations + survey
February 2026

In early 2026 Renae and Fiona will be connecting with the business chambers in the region to hear about the local business community challenges. We’ll also be asking the local business community to tell yes why makes running a business in the region difficult – yes, productive complaining welcome!

Complete the business survey – open until 26 February 2026.

2. Bespoke online learning bundle
April 2026 to March 2027

Based on feedback from the conversations and surveys we’ll be developing a custom online learning bundle featuring 10 mini-modules most relevant to the Tablelands business community.

These bite-sized videos will enable local business owners to learn at their own pace, whenever and wherever it suits them. Access to the full bundle is available for 12 months, supporting ongoing capability building.

3. Community visits
April 2026

Fiona will visit the Tablelands region in mid to late April 2026 (caravan in tow!) to connect with local businesses and host discussion sessions about the online learning module topics.

During this visit, she’ll stay in the community, spend time with local operators and share her own experience from running a caravan park that was impacted by the 2019/2020 bushfires on kangaroo island – oh, and she’ll also talk of challenges running a farm, construction business, retail store and more!

These sessions help businesses reflect on their progress, share experiences, and identify more actions they can take to strengthen resilience.

4. Online check-in sessions
March to May 2026

Before she arrives and then after her in-community chats, Fiona will host three online check-ins with local business owners. These informal sessions create space for local businesses to:

• Ask questions

• Explore challenges

• Discuss resilience actions

• Connect with peers

The sessions keep the learning alive while strengthening local ties and shared problem-solving.

5. Program wrap-up & insights report
May 2026

Once the in-community sessions have finished, Resilient Ready will provide Tablelands Regional Council with a wrap-up report outlining:

• Participation data

• Community insights

• Key resilience themes

• Recommendations for future action

These learnings will help inform Council planning and ongoing business engagement.

Why this program matters

Tableland’s business community is the backbone of the region’s economy, identity and visitor experience.

This tailored program helps strengthen local knowledge, confidence and connectedness – so businesses are not only prepared for disruption, but positioned to thrive.

It’s practical.
It’s local.

And it’s designed to create lasting capability for the people who keep Far North Queensland moving.

We’re also excited to be strengthening local #bridgingties and #linkingties.

Working together to build disaster resilience 

When Resilient Ready, councils and communities work together, we strengthen trust, connection and shared capability across the Tablelands. This collaboration supports businesses to better prepare for, respond to and recover from disruptions.

The outcome is a more connected, resilient Tablelands – now and in to the future.

We thank Tablelands Regional Council for recognising the importance of building disaster resilience across the local business community and for their leadership in making this work possible.

This project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.