A majority of Leichhardt councillors wanted it to happen. The state government said it would have considered the proposal. So how did Leichhardt Council end up vetoing its own plan for a refugee hub at Callan Park?

The answer involves a healthy dose of local government politicking and a cameo appearance by right-wing anti-Islamic extremists.

Labor councillors moved a motion requesting state and federal funding for a "refugee welcome centre" to be located at Callan Park, parts of which have been disused for decades.

The centre would have provided temporary accommodation for some of the 7000 Syrian refugees due to be settled in NSW, as well as support services and facilities. But the proposal was ultimately defeated due to political manoeuvring on both sides.