Mackay Businesses Equipped to be Crisis Ready
Businesses from across The Mackay Region were given crucial crisis management tools at Tuesday’s CrisisReady workshop.
The workshop was delivered in partnership between Mackay Tourism, Queensland Tourism Industry Council, EarthCheck and funded by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
The CrisisReady workshop and app have been developed to help businesses mitigate and recover from the effects of disasters such as cyclones, bushfires and cyber-attacks.
Following Cyclone Debbie and last year’s bushfires, Mackay was selected as the first host of the CrisisReady workshop. Further workshops are set to take place in Airlie Beach and Cairns.
The free, half day workshop detailed strategies and planning activities that businesses can implement prior to, during, and after a crisis strikes their business.
A newly developed CrisisReady app was also unveiled in Mackay for attendees to download. The app features key contacts, safety information, documentation and alerts, all crucial information designed to assist businesses during a crisis.
Chief Executive Officer of EarthCheck Stewart Moore further explained the details of the CrisisReady program held in Mackay.
“The CrisisReady program and app, we have launched in Mackay this week, builds on the work that Mackay Tourism have already undertaken to assist the tourism industry to respond to crisis events,” he said.
“The CrisisReady program however, takes risk assessment and emergency response to the next step by providing operators with a practical app that allows them, at any time to have access to a business continuity plan that can be immediately mobilised to respond to a hazard or event,” he said.
Mr Moore continued, “the reality of our current operating environment is that it’s not a question of if a crisis will occur, but when. This app provides an understanding of how to plan for risk, train your staff, and how to become part of a regional action group to respond to crisis events as they occur.”
Attending Tuesday’s workshop was Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park Owner Ben Atherton. Affected by Cyclone Debbie, Mr Atherton detailed why risk management is crucial.
“Having experienced Cyclone Debbie, I thought it important to share our experiences in risk management to the Mackay business community. During crisis situations including natural disasters such as a cyclone, the entire region is affected, so it’s important to work together to help get individual businesses and the wider industry back on their feet,” he said.
“Long term, the new CrisisReady app will be a very important resource to assist businesses like mine to plan for, and then mitigate the risks that all business owners face,” explained Mr Atherton.
Mr Atherton finished by saying, “Mackay Tourism events like these are very beneficial in developing a profitable and professional tourism industry.”
Mackay Tourism General Manager Tas Webber, attended the event and encouraged all businesses in The Mackay Region to download the CrisisReady app.
“Although our beautiful tropical climate more than makes up for it, the reality of operating a business in North Queensland means eventually risks present themselves.”
“Most risks can, to a degree, be planned for and certainly during and after a disaster, strategies and support are available to assist recovering businesses. The new app launched this week from Earthcheck, should be downloaded by all businesses owners, big or small, in the tourism industry or otherwise.”
Contact:
Daniel Brown - Communications Officer
0448 994 180
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Published: 21 June 2019