TAG - A game-changer for community resilience

Published on 01 April 2026

Rockhampton Regional Council is improving community resilience with a tabletop workshop that helps residents plan, respond and adapt to disaster situations.

Developed using local maps and knowledge, TAG – The Adaptation Game, places participants in realistic simulations the Rockhampton Region can face, helping them explore practical ways to prepare for disasters.

Mayor Tony Williams said it’s an engaging way for residents to take on an important and serious topic.

“TAG gives people a chance to think through tough situations before they happen,” Mayor Williams said.

“It’s practical, it’s local, and it gets people talking about what they’d actually do.

“When a disaster hits, it’s not the time you want to be making decisions for the first time. These workshops help people build confidence and a plan, using real Rockhampton Region scenarios.

“Our area is no stranger to severe weather events, and we all know firsthand the challenges they can bring for our households, neighbourhoods and local organisations.

“Prepared communities recover faster, and TAG is about giving residents the tools to help themselves and each other.”

Councillor for Environmental Sustainability, Elliot Hilse, said a number of community groups across the region have been taking part in facilitated TAG sessions including a successful pilot in September 2025 and more recently a launch over the last week.

“We’re really proud to team up with a broad cross‑section of the community for the roll out of TAG, including environmental groups, education and youth services, major employers, multicultural organisations, emergency responders and local clubs,” Cr Hilse said.

“Across eight sessions we have welcomed around 150 participants in total.

“It’s been great to see residents increase their understanding of local risks, strengthen their local networks, and feel more confident and empowered to prepare for severe weather events.

“We are looking to host a number of TAG workshops in the second half of the year, and I encourage local community groups, and anyone interested to head to Council’s website and register their expression of interest.”

TAG Rocky Region was developed to help support local disaster preparedness and build community resilience and received grant funding from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal in 2025.

TAG is ideal for groups of 4–24 people, including community groups, workplaces, schools (15+), clubs and volunteer organisations.