The coronavirus pandemic may be creating uncertainty over some people’s short-term travel plans, but that is not stopping regional communities from thinking ahead to ways they can attract grey nomads long into the future.
In the small New South Wales town of Quirindi just south of Tamworth, the potential benefits of creating an artwork on a giant grain silo is creating a bit of excitement.
The Quirindi Silo Art Committee is aiming to have the silo on Station Street painted, with early ideas for what might be depicted ranging from sunflowers and Indigenous aspects, to a depiction of the Kokoda Trail to tie in with plans to create a Kokoda Track walkway nearby.
According to the Naomi Valley Independent, other ideas for the silo art project include lighting for night-time viewing and a viewing platform from the top of the silo using an already-existing internal lift. The group is also looking at purchasing the silo from GrainCorp as it’s no longer in use.
Committee chairman Ian Carter said he didn’t want to see his home town die, so decided to ‘push something along’.
“I did the silo art trail in Western Victoria this time last year, and saw how many people were doing it as well and helping those little towns,” Mr Carter told the Independent. “Quirindi is slowly going backwards and we need something to stimulate it, so it’s something for tourists to come into town to provide some stimulus.”
Mr Carter said the group would soon be seeking to apply for grants to get the project off the ground.
Liverpool Plains Shire visitor information centre manager, Nikki Robertson, said that – if the dream was realised – it could help create a NSW version of the Victorian silo art trail.
“A lot of grey nomads do the silo trail and … in this area you’ve got Barraba, Merriwa, the water tower in Gunnedah, and we’d be nicely in the middle to fill that gap so that’d be a little silo trail for people to have a look at,” Ms Robertson said. “Quirindi is struggling to get people in because they have to deviate off the highway, so to have the silo there it gives them an incentive to go into Quirindi.”
Love the silo trails follow them alot
Just done the Wimmera silo trail and it was great.
We went on a Monday, and there was a steady stream of visitors.
went to the art silo trail in Vic, only reason went through the towns, otherwise probably wouldnt have gone, have gone out of my way to see different ones
Yes please. Go ahead with the project. We also have made a point of visiting towns with painted silos or water tanks. A very definite seaward to many small communities.
We have just come through Quirindi in the last couple of weeks and enjoyed our stay in this lovely country town. Can recommend Tea and Scones at the Sugar Plum Cafe and a drive up to Bobs Shed. Also visit both the New and Old Quirindi Dams. Anything additional these small towns can do like Silo Art will attract Grey Nomads looking for that little extra Great idea and recommend the committee get it done. Will revisit.
Love silo art. But it’s not just silo art, street art, sculptures and all sorts get people to travel, stop and look. But people need to be informed. You can’t expect people to just go driving hoping to find something. Most people need a reason to get up and go. Also the towns need to be ready for an influx of people. It’s gret to look at the art, but looking alone does not help the townships. We did a silo tour last year with several vans and was disappointed with a few towns as there was not much there to help support the town. 1 General store did not do coffee, another we bought out of pies and pasties, (1of each), others were not open at 9.30 or 10 am. If towns want people, they need to be prepared, you can’t expect them to spend money if things are not open or they have nothing to buy.
We are hoping to plan another tour in the near future to see what is new, and hope towns are prepared for travellers.
Love silo art have done 3 states so far
We are definitely following the silo art trails and murals, just done VIC and now in SA. We are doing the lap so eventually we will I hope to see most of them! NSW will be our last being our home State.
I love the silo art, and have made multiple trips to see the silos around Victoria and SA. I’m currently planning a post Covid trip to see the NSW ones, and would certainly come to Quirindi to see an art silo.