Benefits from town’s silo art
SOME of the largest artworks of birds soaring in Australia have tourists flocking to the southwest Queensland border town of Yelarbon
Since the completion of a massive artwork on the GrainCorp silos, the entire region has benefited from the increase in tourists and travellers stopping to photograph the mural.
One of the largest of its kind in Australia, spread over eight silos, the Yelarbon silo art was completed in 2020 and has since won the title of Best Rural at the Australian Street Art Awards earlier this year.
With silo art springing up across western Queensland, Goondiwindi Regional Council community and economic development manager Megan Boyd said the project had wide ranging benefits.
Yelarbon’s population may only be around 400 people, but Ms Boyd said the silos had become a major drawcard.
“It is clear to any local that the numbers of travellers who are stopping to take photos and read the signs is significant,” Ms Boyd said.
“Yelarbon itself has a camping recreation grounds that is run by a community group that are also reporting increased numbers.
“The community has also sold out of numerous silo merchandise such as stubby coolers, tea towels etc. The Australian Silo Art Trail featured the Yelarbon GrainCorp Silos on their 2021 calendar cover, and they sold thousands of copies with the profits being shared with the local communities featured in the calendar.”
A recent report by the Griffith Business School on silo art found that while murals consistently attract visitors, the direct economic impact varies depending on what visitors find at the site and the town.
“Whether an individual business benefits from silo art visitors depends on many factors such as where the business is located within the town, if other businesses are closer to the silo art site and if the business offers facilities like toilets,” report co-author Dr Amelia Green said.
“The perception among visitors that these towns want to attract tourists sets up their expectations when they arrive and information before and during visits is crucial.”