THIS week, Warren Acutt wrote in his column: Let's have a mature discussion, identify what is needed to make a possible resettlement of 500 or more refugees in CQ as successful as possible then see if the government will commit to providing it.

We asked readers on Facebook: What does CQ need to successfully resettle over 500 Syrian refugees?

Chantal Booth - How is it economically viable to literally import 500 more people who will be supported by the tax payers dollar when we already have an available jobs crisis? I don't care where they are from or who or what they are I don't see how it can help The flagging CQ region. If someone can honestly and fully explain this to me then I will support it.

Darryl Hutchinson - Why do we need to have refugees to make cq as successful as possible when us aussies pay enough taxes for our own people in our country amazing stuff the refugees look after our homeless first

Leonard Walker - How will 500 foreigners of unknown and uncertain origins with unspecified and unknown skills "help stimulate Central Queensland's economy?" Enquiring minds would like to know.

Cheryl Erickson Karaban - Earlier It was reported by the Morning Bulletin itself that Rockhampton was rated as one of the highest disadvantaged cities in Queensland!! I have no suggestion to add to the question but to ask, how CAN we do this without adding to the already high prevalence of a lower socio-economic environment???

Azara Goodson - Hopefully they bring arts food and something new to this boring place, so in years to come we can have something here to attract tourism, business and help our community grow as Rockhampton / Cq has stalled need to build infrastructure to accommodate them

Charlene McKenzie - I'm guessing that many of these refugees will be government supported for a fair period of time no matter where they live, so we may as well have them spending it here.

Leonard Walker - That "government support," Charlene, is my tax dollar. at work.

Charlene McKenzie - Yes and mine. I'm just saying that they are going to get it either way so it may as well get spent back into our local economy as anywhere else.

Jill Bowles - CQ needs NO refugees here we have people out of work find jobs for those people in CQ out of work

Kris Maddison - I agree, Not have them here, we have enough problems now we don't need 500 more there's enough locals out of work now if anything it will make it worse look what's happening in Europe with Islam and the take over of sharia law we don't want that here and I think we as the community need to tell our local politicians that

Naomi Liersch - isn't it funny how there isn't enough work for the locals and they want to bring 500 more into the region and not everyone unemployed fall into the category of dole bludgers. I was laid off my last job with the economy downfall and I have found it hard to get another job I have been applying for jobs and nothing. Upsets me that people like to tar everyone with the same brush

Richard Wilkens - Diversifying the region some more wouldn't be a bad thing. After the initial xenophobic backlash, who knows, it might further educate and make people less fearful of the unknown.

Gayle Vea Vea - Can see who haven't read the article. We need people to stimulate the economy.

Ric Simon - At last, maybe we will get people who want to work! Unlike many of the locals!

Read more of the discussion here: