Rural Economic Development Grants

As stated in the guidelines, EOI outcomes will be advised and successful submissions will receive an invitation to submit a full application including an application pack on 7 February 2022.

For details on eligibility please refer to Section 3 of the guidelines.

Jobs are to be calculated as Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Staff.

Full time work is 35 hours per week or more. If your project will employ casual or part time workers, calculate the number of hours to be worked by these employees and divide that total by 35 to determine full time equivalents.

For example, seven casual employees working 10 hours per week totalling 70 hours per week, equates to two full time employees.

No. Grant funding is not guaranteed at any stage of the application process and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis.

Applications will be assessed on a competitive basis against the following criteria:

1. Compliance with applicant and project eligibility criteria
2. The extent of the project creating employment related to primary production
3. The value for money and significant economic benefit generated by a project
4. The prospect of project success and long-term viability
5. The project’s location

For more information on how EOIs and applications will be competitively assessed read the guidelines.

The 50 per cent cash contribution may be provided in the form of a bank loan, your own funds, project partner funds or a combination of these. Government assistance of any kind cannot be used to make up the 50 per cent contribution.

The Rural Economic Development Grant Scheme has a two-step application process. You must first submit an expression of interest (EOI) form, then successful EOI participants will then be invited to submit a full application for the grant.

Round four EOIs closed on 20 December 2021.

Local Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) Industry Development Officers are available to assist with your Rural Economic Development Grant application and the development and planning of your rural economic project and business. 

South QLD – DAF 

Jason Keating, Manager Agribusiness Development, South, Gympie

• 0411 271 674  
• jason.keating@daf.qld.gov.au 

Stephanie Denman, Principal Agribusiness Development Officer, North Burnett, South Burnett and Cherbourg council areas

• 0431 862 372  
• stephanie.denman@daf.qld.gov.au 

Zane Nicholls, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer, Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Moreton council areas

• 0412 032 965  
• zane.nicholls@daf.qld.gov.au  

Peter Broomhall, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer, Goondiwindi and Southern Downs council areas

• 0467 801 186
• peter.broomhall@daf.qld.gov.au

Clinton McGrath, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer, Western Downs and Toowoomba council areas

• 0428 102 319  
• clinton.mcgrath@daf.qld.gov.au  

David Hickey, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer, Murweh, Paroo, Bulloo, Quilpie, Maranoa and Balonne council areas

• 0427 427 503  
• david.hickey@daf.qld.gov.au  

Andrew Langford, Regional Director, South, Toowoomba

• 0499 269 878
• andrew.langford@daf.qld.gov.au

Rohan Allen, Principal Agribusiness Development Officer, Scenic Rim, Logan City, Redland City, Gold Coast City council areas

• 0460 005 336
• rohan.allen@daf.qld.gov.au

Bronwyn Ford, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer, Somerset, Lockyer and Ipswich council areas

• 0439 465 047
• bronwyn.ford@daf.qld.gov.au

Jessy Logan, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer, Bundaberg, Gympie, Fraser Coast council areas

• 0448 362 639
• jessy.logan@daf.qld.gov.au

Central QLD – DAF 

Lew Markey, Manager Industry Development, Rockhampton  

• 0427 604 009  
• lew.markey@daf.qld.gov.au  

Kristie Clark, Industry Development Officer Rural Economic Development, Rockhampton  

• 07 4843 2637    
• kristie.clark@daf.qld.gov.au  

Davina Roberts, Senior Industry Development Officer, Central Region, Biloela  

• 0459 813 389  
• davina.roberts@daf.qld.gov.au  

Robert Nissen, Senior Industry Development Officer Rural Economic Development, Mackay 

• 0436 946 251  
• robert.nissen@daf.qld.gov.au  

North QLD - DAF 

Adam West, Regional Director, North Queensland, Townsville  

• 0427 406 108  
• adam.west@daf.qld.gov.au  

Gareth Jones, Manager, Regional Agribusiness Development, Townsville 

• 0417 794 929  
• gareth.jones@daf.qld.gov.au

Michael Heidenreich, A/Manager, Regional Agribusiness Strategy, Cairns

• 0427 553 496
• michael.heidenreich@daf.qld.gov.au

Brock Dembowski, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer, Townsville

• 07 3330 4519
• brock.dembowski@daf.qld.gov.au

Timothy McGrath, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer, Cairns  

• 0427 405 011  
• timothy.mcgrath@daf.qld.gov.au

Funding will be available once a funding agreement is finalised with QRIDA. As project milestones are completed, grant payments will be made to your designated bank account.

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) One Stop Service for Agriculture Planning and Development  

Department of State Development, Tourism and Innovation 

Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ)  

Australian Government Industry Website 

You may submit more than one application for different projects, or in future rounds of funding.  However, you may not receive more than one Rural Economic Development Grant for a substantially similar project activity.

No, if an applicant is registered for GST, the assistance will be calculated on the project costs excluding GST.

You must immediately notify QRIDA if there is a change to the scope of the project. Contact us here.

Yes. You are entitled to a decision review. See reviewing a decision for more information.

No. You cannot obtain a Rural Economic Development Grant if you have received other Government funding for the same project activity. Additional project activities to a Government funded project may be considered under this grant.

Yes, an application for assistance under the scheme can be made jointly by two or more applicants. In these cases only one applicant needs to demonstrate the ability to provide the 50 per cent cash contribution and have adequate experience and/or qualifications to give the applicant a reasonable prospect of success in carrying out the activity. All Applicants must meet the other eligibility criteria.

If you are successful in receiving a grant you will be required to enter into a legally binding funding agreement with QRIDA. For more information on your grant obligations please read the guidelines.

Medium sized businesses applying for the grant must be registered for GST. All other applicant entities need to indicate whether they are registered for GST in the EOI form.

In-kind contributions may be offered in addition to the 50 per cent cash contribution to the project.