Published on May 18, 2021

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Around a thousand local businesses are to be connected and workshops planned to help local businesses prepare for natural disasters following Cessnock City Council securing more funding under the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund.

10 business networking events and 15 Business Disaster Recovery and Disaster Preparedness Workshops will be held in various locations across the Cessnock Local Government Area.

Council partnered with Business Hunter to deliver the Recovery and Preparedness workshops.

Business Hunter General Manager Kerry Hallett said the workshops will cover planning, managing through a crisis, disaster proofing and risk mitigation.

“We know there is a gap in business knowledge when it comes to dealing with the fall out after a disaster. We want our businesses to have the knowledge, skills and capacity to better cope in the midst and aftermath of a disaster, whether it’s bushfires or flooding.”

Council’s Manager of Economic Development and Tourism, Tony Chadwick said the 10 networking functions are a great opportunity to support businesses who are still recovering after a difficult year.

“There are unlocked opportunities for collaboration, information sharing and partnerships between local businesses, chambers, associations and government in the region. These events create a space for conversations to take place, ideas to be developed and enjoyment to be had between chambers, business owners, managers and staff. The bushfires followed by COVID-19 has made it extremely tough for local business and we want to support them to not only get back on their feet but thrive.”

For information on the upcoming events visit Advance Cessnock City. These events are funded by the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund project through the joint Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.