The Andrews Labor Government's iconic Silo Art Trail in Victoria's Wimmera Southern Mallee region is attracting more than 570 extra visitors to the region every month, delivering tourist dollars to small towns across the area.
Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes today visited Rupanyup at the southern end of the 200km art trail to hear how the town's painted grain silo is bringing more tourists to the area and boosting the local economy.
Russian street artist Julia Volchkova painted the Rupanyup silos over two weeks in April 2017, one of six silo projects coordinated by street art specialists Juddy Roller, working with local councils.
Economic analysis of the Silo Art Trail has shown an extra spend of at least $260,000 over 11 months, which equates to an extra 576 visitors each month.
The analysis is part of the Labor Government's plan to boost visitors, diversify the economy and make more of everything the Grampians, Mallee and Wimmera has to offer.
Yarriambiack Shire Council has also employed a new staff member, through Visit Victoria, to help promote the Silo Art Trail – Australia's largest outdoor gallery, showcasing the work of renowned street artists on the sides of huge grain silos.
The Labor Government is supporting the trail to continue growing and cementing Victoria's place as the home of Silo Art, with three new artworks due to be installed this year thanks to funding through the Pick My Project program.
The Government also provided $500,000 in 2017 to help promote the trail and develop a tourism plan to attract even more visitors to the region, famous not only for its silo art, but the iconic Grampians Peak Trail, award winning wineries and world class fisheries.
The Labor Government is investing in regional Victoria to grow tourism, develop projects that create world-class experiences for visitors and boost local businesses and jobs across the regions.
As noted by Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes
"Victoria's silos are being given a new lease on life, and we're excited to see tourists following the Silo Art Trail to see the country's largest outdoor art gallery, and deliver tourism money to small towns along the way."
"Tourism is crucial to the future of regional and rural Victoria, and the Silo Art Trail is putting a spotlight on the Wimmera Southern Mallee – both in Australia and across the world both at home and internationally."
