SOMERSET business owners are now better equipped for future disasters thanks to the completion of Somerset Regional Council’s Business Resilience and Recovery Plan.

Following the devastating 2022 floods, council identified the need to support the business community in their preparation for, and recovery from, various disasters.

In January 2024, council received funding from the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to complete the Business Resilience and Recovery Plan.

Pheonix Resilience was engaged to complete the plan and worked with council and the community to develop several initiatives.

Now complete, the ‘Plan on a Page’ is readily available to all Somerset businesses.

Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said resilient businesses had the ability to rapidly adapt and respond to disruptions.

“We have delivered a practical tool to enhance business resilience and assist in swift recovery,” Cr Wendt said.

“The Plan on a Page document is a guide to what you can do before, during and after a disaster, and where you can find help and information.”

Cr Wendt said business owners could collect a printed hard copy of the Plan on a Page from Somerset Regional Council Customer Service Centres in Esk, Kilcoy, and Lowood.

“Hang it up in your office, discuss it with your staff, practice what you would do during a disaster,” Cr Wendt said.

“Together, we can work to get through tough times and build our businesses into the future.”

Council also developed an opt-in email service for distributing key messaging to businesses across Somerset regarding preparedness, response and recovery.

“By signing up to the notification service, business owners can receive information from council on various disaster funding opportunities and other support initiatives,” Cr Wendt said.

“Visit our website to download a copy of the Plan on a Page and watch a training video on how to use the document.”

To access the Business Resilience and Recovery Plan resources, visit somerset.qld.gov.au/disaster-management

To opt in for email alerts about resilience and recovery, visit disaster.somerset.qld.gov.au/notificationservice

This project was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.