Free online and in person programs to help businesses and not-for-profits prepare for and recover from future disasters are being expanded to the central west.
The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is offering the Business Beyond Disasters online course to businesses and not-for-profits throughout the Central West, in conjunction with organisations and businesses in the Northern Rivers.
As part of the program, business owners and not-for-profits in the Central West will be able to access micro five minute eLearning modules online that cover topics such as operating through disasters, financial viability, understanding insurance, evacuation triggers, and how disasters can bring opportunities.
The online program commenced on 5 May. It runs for 10 weeks and provides participants with access to weekly learning modules and check-ins to develop businesses plans for disasters, build essential business continuity capabilities, and work together to overcome future challenges.
It will be available until December this year.
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NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon encouraged anyone with a business, or who is part of a not-for-profit, to take advantage of the opportunity.
“We acknowledge that at times recovering from disasters like floods and preparing for future storms can seem overwhelming, which is why we are extending this free and practical online program to businesses and not-for-profits across the Central West region," he said.
The RA engaged experts from Resilient Ready, an organisation specialising in business and community risk reduction and resilience, to develop and roll out the program.
Participants can choose one of five specific business programs that best align to their area of business including:
Retail, professional services and education
Agribusiness and aqua business
Tourism
Health and social services
Construction, trade and manufacturing.
Course participants will have the chance to exchange experiences and discover the resilience initiatives implemented by other businesspeople in the region.
For more information or to register visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/nsw-reconstruction-authority/our-work/central-west/business-beyond-disasters-cw
Business Beyond Disasters is jointly funded by the Australian Government and NSW Government.
The RA will also host a series of in person flood resilient forums for businesses in the Central West next month.
Business owners who have experienced or are at risk of flooding are invited to attend the sessions, with experts on hand to provide practical advice on building materials and tips to help them recover and start trading as soon as possible.
The first session will be on Monday 12 May 2025 from 6pm - 8pm at Cabonne Community Centre, with details for forums at Forbes and Canowindra to be shared shortly.
