Three Springs Silo Projection project funded by Lotterywest to turn silos into a huge outdoor movie screen

A plan for an outdoor cinema to be projected onto Three Springs’ 60-year-old wheat silos — making it one of the world’s biggest outdoor screens — is one step closer to being a reality after a big chunk of funding was secured for the project. As part of its tourism strategy, the Shire of Three Springs plans to redevelop and restore the historic Duffys Store, vacant since 1990, turning the building into a unique hub. The wheat silos will see a $150,000 redevelopment, with the towers becoming a huge outdoor cinema screen, and the shire planning to host around six big events a year from live music concerts to movie screenings. In July last year, the shire invited the community to provide feedback on the project. Earlier this year, Lotterywest approved a grant of $132,376, with the shire required to contribute $33,094 to cover the project costs. If councillors approve that, the council agenda revealed the shire will transfer the remaining funds necessary from their Day Care Centre Reserve — left over from the newly built childcare centre — and into the Silo Projection Reserve. Shire of Three Springs chief executive Keith Woodward said the reserve funds were no longer required for the early childhood centre, and its purpose was to be used to fund future building works. “We’ve been commencing workshops with the community for some years, once we get approval from council we will start organising all the event documents,” he said. “We think the silo is a big thing because it’s gonna be something like the 14th largest outdoor screen in the world.” “It will provide a platform to invite the broader community to Three Springs, we’re a very safe community between two cities and want to promote that Three Springs is a great place.” Mr Woodward said Arts WA and Libraries WA had shown an interest, which meant the town could project short films on a weekly basis and they were hoping to have the project up and running within a year. “We’re hoping it will be here for Australia Day next year,” he said. The matter will go to council on Wednesday, May 25.