It has been said, more than once, that a picture is worth a thousand words, and with good reason. That is not quite what we’re talking about here, though. Since I first posted about a Silo (or street) Art trail for Cardinia Shire, the interest has been phenomenal.

However, we’re just at the beginning of the journey, and it’s not likely to be a simple one. Some very good feedback recently has highlighted some of the challenges involved in making this happen, and I was delighted to hear them. I would be even more delighted to hear your thoughts on them, as well. I’m not sure who the originally posted them, as they were a response to a share, and it was copied back to me, so I’m going to include the full quote here, and work m y way through it:

I love silo art and murals. Upper Beaconsfield’s water tower would be great but having done some of these art trails, often the extra traffic and subsequent facilities required for them are forgotten. Who wants extra traffic on our dirt roads? Who will open it up for car parking? Do we want or need the tourism? Who will it benefit? Who is going to fund it and maintain it? Silos & water towers cost tens of thousands and have either been paid for by the silo owners (eg: GrainCorp) or years of fundraising and sourcing of grants and donations. They work well for small, struggling farming towns. The question is, would it work up here?!

Who wants extra traffic on our dirt roads? Who will open it up for car parking?
There are a couple of ways of looking at, or dealing with, extra traffic (and this is a big one, no mistake, especially in light of the recent anger over the current state of roads in the Shire, so while I may have an opinion, please feel free to disagree).
1) The location of the artworks would need to be carefully considered with traffic, roads and car parking in mind.
2) The traffic is going to increase anyway, with or without the art trail, given the growth of the Shire and other developments, both current and planned. This should be used as a spur to improve the roads.

Do we want or need the tourism?
Perhaps some parts of the Shire don’t, particularly the northern hills. I tend to believe that it would be good for the entire shire, and particularly small businesses. They are vital to our community, and the better they are supported, the better we are supported – far moreso than by big business, and in some ways, even more than government. In fact, given predictions for the future of the Shire, I think tourism is going to be absolutely essential for all of us.

Who will it benefit?
Small business. You. Me. Each and every one of us.

Who is going to fund it and maintain it?
Oh, this is the really big one. I’d like to have a shot at funding it – with your support. I’m a big believer in something for everyone, and no-one left behind. So I’ve some plans in the works to raise some money, and give something back at the same time. however, failing that… we could all fund it. Council and State government, small and large business, and community.

Silos & water towers cost tens of thousands and have either been paid for by the silo owners (eg: GrainCorp) or years of fundraising and sourcing of grants and donations.
Absolutely. And I believe they would lose nothing out of having some artwork painted on them.

They work well for small, struggling farming towns. The question is, would it work up here?!
The information I have gathered so far indicates that they would work well. Perhaps somewhat better in the southern swampland than the northern hills, but the two halves are required for the whole

I think it’s also important to remember that this does not have to be silos or similar, because, basically, we lack many of them (Koo Wee Rup and Upper Beaconsfield have water towers… where else?), but can be, for example, sound barriers on the freeway at Pakenham (thanks to Carmen Walker for that suggestion), or shop walls, as in the photos below.

So there are my thoughts, and I openly admit, I am biased toward the project. Let me know yours! And a reminder, the theme for this month’s photo competition is “Possible Locations for Silo/Street Art”
And thanks, as always, to the photo competition sponsors, Tour Local and Cleanstaff