A new study suggests silo art won't revive the economies of small towns on its own.

The survey of 1,100 businesses, residents and visitors found only 47 per cent of businesses noticed a collective economic impact for their entire town after a painted silo opened.

Sixty-four per cent saw an upturn in revenue for themselves personally.

The Griffith University researchers suggest any town wanting to join the silo art trail should paint local stories and install adequate road signs to be successful.

Lead researcher Amelia Green says the "overwhelming majority" of residents surveyed said painted silos attracted visitors to the town, but what happens next depends on the extra investment.

"We found a contrast between business owners who attributed their survival to silo art and others that reported no difference to their trade," Dr Green says. 

The survey found most silo visitors stayed for half an hour and spent between $11 and $50 at each location, but the spend depended on factors including how close the silos were to towns.

It's not just about the murals

Dr Green says the research also has lessons or those towns already on the silo art trail.

"If you live in Melbourne and you're going out to 200–300 kilometres in the middle of nowhere, you are going to look online for some information," she says.

"Two of the main things are providing up to date information online so people can access that as part of trip planning, that involves identifying the businesses in town and providing opening hours. 

Dr Green says the onus is on councils, tourism and regional development bodies covering silo art areas to promote businesses, given the businesses are tourist attractions themselves.

"One visitor said during the survey 'I arrived in a town and the first thing I want to do is sit in a cafe and see how the town runs', that's part of the tourism experience," Dr Green says.

Dr Green says Barraba in New South Wales, Coonalpyn in South Australia, and Thallon in Queensland are examples of towns that have made the most of their silo art.

The launching pad

Another success story is Colbinabbin, population 112 and halfway between Bendigo and Shepparton in Central Victoria.

A total of five silos painted by Tim Bowtell depict the town's history, including the significance of the local train line.

It opened last year between lockdowns, and pub owner Mary-Ann Morgan says 800 people have visited each week when restrictions have allowed.

"I mean this modestly, but I think our project has been second to none in terms of planning and implementation," she says.

"We have good signage coming into the community from all ends, and we've got about 10 interpretive boards to satisfy visitor hunger for local history."

Ms Morgan says the town's general store has reopened since the mural had been completed. 

There are plans to reactivate the 1960-era golf course, and residents now hope to build more houses in the town to attract young families.

More canvasses

The first painted silo opened in Northam, Western Australia, in 2015, while the first Silo Art Trail opened in Victoria's northwest in the Yarriambiack Shire a year later.

Some of the Victorian silos — including Sheep Hills and Rosebery — are not close to businesses, but Dr Green says this does not necessarily prevent them from being useful to the local economy.

"It's largely oriented around what the visitors interact with when they arrive," she says.

"Even if the silos aren't in a town, having at the silo art site a map showing the nearest cafe [makes a difference]." 

Hindmarsh Shire, also in the northwest, joined the silo art trail with a mural at Albacutya earlier this year and another due to be painted at Arkona, both several kilometres from the nearest towns.

But Mayor Ron Ismay is confident the new murals will get tourist dollars flowing after lockdown. 

"With Wimmera Mallee Tourism we have talked about QR codes where people can look up the silos' stories, and that could be a chance for businesses in the towns to put it out there that they're open," he says.