A host of rural communities, including Yass, are rolling out the welcome mat for Syrian refugees as enthusiasm grows to fill vacant agricultural jobs.
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The Federal government recently committed to take 12,000 refugees, additional to the current annual quota of 13,000, which have been displaced by ongoing conflict in Syria and Iraq.
If refugee allocations are determined on a per-capita basis, NSW would receive 4000 - but the state government has pushed for more.
The first group of refugees, mostly from camps in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan, could arrive before Christmas. The entire intake is expected by mid-2016 and they’ll come with full work rights.
Professor Peter Shergold AC was appointed by Premier Mike Baird to co-ordinate the re-settlement operation and said refugees had the potential to boost rural economies.
"Many - given a chance - will have skills, experience, entrepreneurial energy and the determination to succeed.”
The NSW government will wait for advice from Mr Shergold before developing a detailed relocation plan.
Yass has already begun a conversation about resettling Syrian refugees. A local advocacy group, 120 members strong, said they want to work with Yass Valley Council and local church groups to attract families to their area.
The Yass Asylum Seeker Supporters was formed last February to discuss the plight of asylum seekers in the face of Australia's hard-line immigration policies.
"The group is giving a platform for local people to share their views on asylum seeker policies," said founder and Yass local Karan Gabriel.
"Now we have established there is support in the community the next step is to meet with our local council and churches to talk about sponsoring some families to come to Yass."
She said she had been "pleasantly surprised" by the level of goodwill in the community.
"Country towns can seem very conservative and sometimes it can be hard to share your views but I was surprised by how many people joined the group and wanted to discuss the issues together," she said.
"Many people have said they are glad the group exists."
Last year the group led a candlelight vigil in response to the death of Reza Barati - a 23-year-old Iranian who died during a riot at the Australian-run detention centre on February 17.
"We had about 80 people turn out on the night, which was very heartening and encouraging," she said.
Ms Gabriel said the town was growing and "was in a good position to absorb more people".
Talks are also underway with the Yass Valley, ACT and surrounding councils regarding a signing of the Refugee Welcome Zone commitment, although despite other councils signing the document, Mayor Rowena Abbey said further consultation was needed with both residents and councillors.
The Refugee Welcome Zone represents a commitment in spirit to welcoming refugees into surrounding communities.
“At the moment the ACT are essentially asking what sort of accommodation we have from a council perspective,” Cr Abbey explained.
“Although we have places such as Anglicare housing, we wouldn’t necessarily have anything in particular that council could offer in terms of housing.
“We are certainly interested in working with other people in relation to filling job shortages and helping to relocate refugees in a sensible manner.”
Cr Abbey said the ACT was looking at putting in an offer to house some of the refugees with further consultation with the three surrounding councils.
“They [ACT] want to work together collaboratively to make sure that if there is an allocation of refugees to come to this region that the support services are in place for the community.”
Cr Abbey said that government has offered the funds to help put in place some of the services necessary.
“We have made it clear we are interested in being a part of the conversation,” she said.
