The federal government’s rejection of Armidale as a primary refugee resettlement location played to a national audience on the weekend when SBS aired the city’s exclusion on its world news program.

Refugee advocates, including former mayor Herman Beyersdorf, have lobbied government to include Armidale on the resettlement list.

But despite their efforts, little progress has been made.

Armidale Regional Council sent then general manager Glenn Wilcox to meet with refugee resettlement coordinator-general Peter Shergold.

They also made representations on behalf of local humanitarian services to the Department of Premier and Cabinet requesting assistance to secure an allocation of Syrians.

Professor Shergold advised Council “the Commonwealth has primary responsibility for determining settlement for humanitarian entrants.”

“We continue to communicate with the Commonwealth about opportunities to resettle refugees outside metropolitan areas,” a DPC spokeswoman said.

Armidale’s federal member Barnaby Joyce was questioned about his stance on the issue last week.

He said he would do everything in his power to make sure refugees were welcome in Armidale.

“The Member for New England and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has made representations to the relevant minister, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs  Zed Seselja, on behalf of locals,” a spokeswoman from Mr Joyce's office said.

Mr Seselja responded to Mr Joyce saying Armidale is not a resettlement location and the Department of Social Services is not currently increasing locations.

A statement local advocates have rejected as “contradictory” and “without reason”.

The Canberra-based minister cited factors such as availability of settlement services, family or community links, employment, and access of services like healthcare and education as factors for “harmonious settlement”.

Armidale’s Sanctuary Humanitarian Settlement council liaison Robyn Jones said Armidale had all those attributes and more.

“Our uniqueness is due to the fact that we have jobs, we have accommodation that is affordable, and we are a multicultural community that welcomes people,” she said last year.

Refugee Council of Australia’s chief executive Paul Power also said Armidale was one of the two best places for refugee settlement in the country.

The city’s refugee advocates say the reason they are pushing for change is because the benefits work both ways.

“It’s not just that we’re all bleeding hearts,” Dr Beyersdorf said. “The economic benefits for the city will also be significant.”

Dr Beyersdorf is now asking Mr Joyce to help Armidale realise its potential to help the current intake of Syrians and refugees in the future.