Yelarbon silos are finished! But no visitors until after COVID-19, asks Mayor

It’s one of the largest ever silo murals in Australia, but visitors will have to wait to see the newly completed GrainCorp Silos at Yelarbon. Mayor of the Goondiwindi region, the Honourable Councillor Lawrence Springborg, has urged people not to drive to see the artwork until after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

The enormous new mural is titled “When the Rains Come” and will cement Yelarbon’s place on the national silo art trail. The ambitious project was painted in two stages due to the scope of the painting – it’s 24 metres high and just less than the length of a rugby field.

Both stages of the GrainCorp Silos at Yelarbon were completed by Brisbane-based arts collective The Brightsiders, using more than 1,000 litres of paint across 1,800m2.

The first stage was completed in 2019 and has already brought tourists and business to the rural town. However, Cr Springborg has warned potential visitors that with the current restrictions in place due to COVID-19, now is not the time to be making a trip to see the newly finished project.

“The finished panorama certainly stands out and, as is the case with all art, it is so different to the other silo artworks out there,” Cr Springborg said.

“Whilst our region really appreciates and welcomes visitors, unfortunately now is absolutely not the time to drive out for a look and I ask everyone to heed the Premier’s call to stay home unless absolutely necessary, so that we can keep everyone safe.

“These impressive silos will be here waiting for visitors when times return to normal and I can only hope that, then, Australians will do their bit to support our small towns and get out and visit the amazing regions in their own backyard.”

Cr Springborg also announced today that additional funding for the viewing area had been confirmed through the Queensland Community Benefit Fund.

“It’s excellent news and the funding will go towards beautification of the viewing area site, improved access and promotional signage,” the Mayor said.

“When visitors do come to see our silos, we would appreciate them leaving some tourism dollars in Yelarbon as well as the other great towns in our region, such as Goondiwindi and Inglewood. This would really help support our local businesses and communities.”

Stage 2 of the GrainCorp Silos at Yelarbon project was funded by the Queensland Government through the Department of Innovation and Tourism Industry Development.

Cr Springborg thanked the previous terms Councillors for their efforts in bringing the GrainCorp Silos at Yelarbon to life.

“I also want to thank GrainCorp and Queensland Rail for allowing us to get this project completed and the Brightsiders group for all their work in turning a vision into reality,” Cr Springborg said. “And finally, but most importantly a big thankyou to my fellow residents of Yelarbon for their involvement in the project and their patience during what has been a long road from vision to reality.”