Silo art to lure tourists
Proposal to paint mural in Clifton
PLANS are afoot to lure tourists to Clifton by turning the town’s grey, drab Graincorp silos into towering works of art.
Following in the footsteps of other progressive regional towns that have put themselves on the map by painting giant murals on those icons of rural industry, the Clifton Chamber of Commerce and Industry put forward a proposal to Graincorp late last week.
CCCI president Mandy Beatson said her organisation was “always looking for ways to improve the economic development of the area” and that “something bright and attractive might encourage people” to visit.
The regional Victorian town of Brim shot to fame in January 2016 after Brisbane artist Guido van Helten painted a giant mural on the town’s disused grain silo.
Since then, silo art has spread around the country, even reaching the regional Queensland town of Thallon, near the state border with New South Wales, in mid-2017.
While there had been discussion as to what would be painted on the Clifton silos, nothing had been confirmed yet, Ms Beatson said.
“Ideally I think we will look at the rich agricultural history of the district, given that fits in with what the silos do,” she said.
“We’re asking for feedback from everyone.”
Ms Beatson said Toowoomba Regional Council had been supportive of the idea so far, and had helped put together the proposal.
Councillor Anne Glasheen, who is also a member of the CCCI, said placing the story of Clifton’s history on the side of the silos would be an “excellent” idea.
“We are in a prime spot here for tourism - we get grey nomads, car clubs, motorbike clubs, caravan clubs... we can get on the silo trail and people will come via this way, spend a few days... it puts us on the map,” she said.
She said potential synergies with Toowoomba’s laneway art and arts and crafts in Crows Nest could be a big drawcard for visitors.