Rural Economic Development Grants

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.

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 

Stephanie Denman, Principal Agribusiness Development Officer, North Burnett, South Burnett, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Bundaberg 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, Western Downs and Southern Downs council areas

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

Clinton McGrath, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer, Somerset, Lockyer Valley 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  

Nikki Seymour, Regional Director, South

• 0477 315 959
• nikki.seymour@daf.qld.gov.au

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

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

Central QLD – DAF

Maria Ribbeck Donoso, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer (Whitsundays Council area)

• 0419 737 771
• Maria.RibbeckDonoso@daf.qld.gov.au

Robert Nissen, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer (Mackay & Isaac Council areas)

• 0436 946 251
• Robert.Nissen@daf.qld.gov.au

Kristie Clark, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer (Livingstone Council area)

• 0436814104 
• Kristie.Clark@daf.qld.gov.au

Katrina James, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer (Rockhampton Council area)

• 0429 870 865
• Katrina.James@daf.qld.gov.au

Hayley Eames, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer (Banana & Gladstone Council areas)

• 0459 813 389
• Hayley.Eames@daf.qld.gov.au 

Jessamine Crawford,  Senior Agribusiness Development Officer (Central Highlands & Woorabinda Council areas)

• 0499 769 707
• Jessamine.Crawford@daf.qld.gov.au

Davina Roberts, Manager Regional Agribusiness Development (Central QLD)

• 0476 909 392
• Davina.Roberts@daf.qld.gov.au

Lew Markey, Manager Agribusiness Development (Western QLD)

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

North QLD - DAF 

Peter Holden, Principal Agribusiness Development Officer (Ag Strategy) (FNQ and Atherton Tablelands)

• (07) 4017 0736
• peter.holden@daf.qld.gov.au

Greg Mason, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer (FNQ, Atherton Tablelands, Gulf)

• (07) 4241 8208
• greg.mason@daf.qld.gov.au

Tim McGrath, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer (FNQ, Atherton Tablelands, Gulf and Cape York)

• (07) 4241 8208
• timothy.mcgrath@daf.qld.gov.au

Brock Dembowski, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer (NQ – Burdekin, Hinchinbrook and North West Qld)

• 0467 819 592
• brock.dembowski@daf.qld.gov.au

Gareth Jones, Manager Regional Agribusiness Development (NQ , Burdekin, Hinchinbrook and North West Qld)

• (07) 3330 4504
• gareth.jones@daf.qld.gov.au

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

• 0427 553 496
• michael.heidenreich@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.

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

Grant funding is not guaranteed at any stage of the application process and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis.

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

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

1. Public benefit
2. Co-contribution and value for money
3. Capability and capacity
4. Project attributes.

For more information on how applications will be competitively assessed read the guidelines on this page.

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 use government loan assistance towards your co-contribution to help to fund project activities, for instance, a Sustainability Loan from QRIDA.

However, funding from another government grant program is unable to be used as a co-contribution to fund project activities under the scheme.

Primary production enterprises and small to medium sized businesses applying for the grant must be registered for GST. All other applicant entities need to indicate whether or not they are registered for GST in the form.

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.

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.

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.