Community & Business
13 May, 2026
New program to help plan for emergencies
A NEW program to help vulnerable and disabled community members and small businesses prepare for emergencies is being rolled out across the region.
Residents and business owners from Atherton, Malanda, Mareeba, and out to Ravenshoe, Mt Garnet and Herberton, are being encouraged to take part in a series of workshops to help individuals create their own “tailor-made” emergency and evacuation plans, and businesses to make plans to maintain their enterprises before, during and after a disaster.
Project facilitator Chetty Boyer-Moore from Mareeba Community Centre (MCC) and Atherton’s Better Together representative Natalie Brookes, will coordinate the free workshops, which run for about 1.5 hours.
“We’re helping people make informed decisions quickly and confidently when it matters most,” Ms Boyer-Moore said.
During the workshops participants will be provided with their own workbook which is structured into four key steps.
“As the facilitator, I will guide the group through each step, using a range of scenarios to prompt reflection on individual circumstances,” she said.
“This process will support participants to think about their own situations and identify gaps in their current emergency preparedness.
“We encourage those with a disability to bring along support workers, family and friends to help assist with their planning.”
The business workshops will help small business and community organisations assess risks, identify essential functions, plan for disruption, and reduce downtime during and after disaster events, helping to maintain critical services for the community.
The Mareeba Community Centre, in conjunction with Mareeba Shire Council, will be hosting an information session on 18 May at the Mareeba Library from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
People can register through a QR code which will be on posters, pamphlets around town and flyers at community centre disability organisations. Alternatively, people can register through the MCC Facebook page or the council website.
For more information call Chetty Boyer-Moore on 0439 774 673 or Natalie Brookes on 0417 781 517.
