Silo trail delivers to communities

The State Government has revealed Yarriambiack Shire’s Silo Art Trail, ‘Australia’s largest outdoor gallery’, has led to a monthly increase of more than 570 visitors to the Wimmera and southern Mallee.

Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes said an 11-month economic analysis of the impact of the silo trail also showed a visitor-spending increase of at least $260,000.

Minister Symes revealed the details during a visit to Rupanyup at the southern end of the 200-kilometre trail last week.

She heard how grain silos in Rupanyup, featuring a giant hand-painted mural, was attracting tourists to the area and boosting the district economy.

“Victoria’s silos are being given a new lease on life, and we’re excited to see tourists following the Silo Art Trail and deliver tourism money to small towns along the way,” she said.

“Tourism is crucial to the future of regional and rural Victoria and the Silo Art Trail is putting a spotlight on the Wimmera and southern Mallee – both at home and internationally.”

Russian street artist Julia Volchkova painted the Rupanyup silos during a two-week period in April 2017.

It was one of six silo projects coordinated by street-art specialist Juddy Roller, working with Yarriambiack Shire Council and strongly advocated by former mayor, regional farmer and now independent candidate for the Federal seat of Mallee Ray Kingston.

Ms Symes said Yarriambiack council had employed a staff member, through Visit Victoria, to help promote the art trail, which also includes silo artworks at Brim, featuring the art of Guido van Helten, Sheep Hills, Adnate, Lascelles, Rone, Rosebery, Kaff-eine and Patchewollock, Fintan Magee.

The economic analysis was part of government support of the project designed to boost visitors, diversify the economy and make the most of what the Wimmera and Grampians had to offer.

The government, keen to grow and cement Victoria’s claim as the home of silo art, has also provided funding for new artworks in the region this year through a Pick My Project program.

Silo art projects are earmarked for Goroke, Serviceton and Kaniva in the region’s west and also in Nullawil in the Mallee.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced speculative plans for a major expansion of the art trail during a visit in 2017 that included expanding the silo trail by an extra 12 silos.

At the time the government provided $500,000 to help promote the trail and develop a tourism plan to attract more visitors to the region.