30 Ways QRIDA has shaped QLD in 30 years

4 October 2024

This October marks 30 years since QRIDA began helping rural and regional communities across the state grow through financial assistance. 

The establishment of the government financial administrator dates back to October 1, 1994, when the organisation was known as the Queensland Rural and Adjustment Authority (QRRA), reporting to the Queensland Government.

In July 2017, QRAA's name changed QRIDA to reflect its increased role doing even more for rural and regional Queensland. 

As QRIDA surpasses this special milestone, we’re reflecting on 30 ways QRIDA has helped Queensland thrive and recover from challenges over the past 30 years.

1. Helped primary producers build a viable farm business with First Start Loans. 

2. Improved the accessibility of tourism through the Accessible Tourism Experiences Queensland Grant.

3. Kick-started clean-up and recovery activities for some of Queensland’s worst disasters including Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry, Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi, Tropical Cyclone Debbie, the 2011 floods and the 2019 North West Queensland Monsoon Trough event.

4. Supported producers resolve farm debt issues through the Farm Debt Restructure Office.

5. Reported Queensland’s total indebtedness through the Rural Debt Survey. 

6. Helped Queensland households replace their electric hot water systems with solar heaters under the Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme.

7. Protected jobs and businesses during the pandemic through the COVID-19 Jobs Support Loans Scheme.

8. Strengthened primary production sectors and rural communities through the Rural Economic Development Grant Scheme. 

9. Increased the productivity and profitability of farm operations with Sustainability Loans.

10. Supported agricultural businesses invest in new technology through the Agribusiness Digital Solutions Grant Scheme. 

11. Administered the Climate Smart Energy Savers Rebate to help Queensland households upgrade old appliances.

12. Boosted Queensland’s biosecurity through programs including the Bovine Johne’s Disease Scheme and Hendra Virus PPE Scheme.

13. Linked primary producers with carbon farming experts under the Carbon Farming Advice Scheme. 

14. Prepared, managed, recovered and mitigated the impacts of droughts including the Millennium Drought.

15. Offset the cost of water used to irrigate crops under the Horticulture Irrigation Pricing Rebate Scheme. 

16. Delivered more than $6.28 billion in financial assistance over 189 loan, grant and rebate programs. 

17. Offset the costs of implementing a succession plan with rebates through Farm Management Grants.

18. Invested in primary producers’ training and skills development through the FarmBis Scheme. 

19. Supported sustainable fishing and protected the reef under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Structural Adjustment Package and the Fishing Structural Adjustment Scheme.

20. Helped primary producers improve their properties including vegetation management and equipment upgrades with Landcare Loans.

21. Delivered the Household Waste Payment Scheme to help households not covered by council payments to assist with the costs of a waste levy.

22. Provided a way for farmers and mortgagees to resolve farm business debts through the Farm Business Debt Mediation program. 

23. Supported the taxi industry to become more inclusive under the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Grant. 

24. Provided primary producers with local support through QRIDA’s network of Regional Area Managers located across Queensland.

25. Offset the costs of electronic readers and NLIS accredited eID devices through the Sheep & Goat Electronic Identification Rebate.

26. Helped homeowners invest in a battery energy storage system through the Battery Booster Scheme.

27. Repaired or retrofitted Queensland homes to improve their resilience to future floods through the Resilience Home Fund. 

28. Encouraged the uptake of safe e-mobility devices through the E-Mobility Rebate scheme. 

29. Helped sugarcane, beef cattle and banana producers in North Queensland offset the cost of professional advice about improving water quality outcomes for the Great Barrier Reef. 

30. Created jobs and stimulated economic development in Queensland’s sheep and goat industries under the Rural Agricultural Development Grants.

To find out more about how QRIDA has helped built resilient rural and regional Queensland communities, visit QRIDA’s 30-year anniversary page.