Mayor, Cr Paul Hooper formally signed the declaration with representatives from Rural Australians for Refugees Grampians Gariwerd on Tuesday. 

Cr Hooper said Ararat Rural City joins more than 35 Victorian councils that have signalled support for refugee settlement in their local community.

"Herein lies our opportunity as a proactive and responsive community to formalise council's role as a Refugee Welcome Zone,” he said.

"The declaration has the potential to promote harmony, social cohesion and respect for human rights in the local community and demonstrate a strong stance against racism and discrimination.

"I am proud to stand alongside my fellow councillors in support of this initiative.”

RARGG secretary Bonnie Carter said Ararat Rural City was leading the way with its proactive approach to signing the declaration.

“It is setting an excellent example,” she said.

“Ararat is the first municipality between here and Hindmarsh Shire.”

Ms Carter said council has agreed to uphold the human rights of refugees, demonstrate compassion and enhance cultural and religious diversity in the community.

“Many councils across Australia are refugee friendly zones and it doesn’t hold them to any particular rules or obligations,” she said.

“It is just a way to signify that they make every effort to welcome people who have been through trauma.

“Even if they are not refugees or asylum seekers, that they make an effort to welcome people from other cultures into their community.” 

Ms Carter said the group was also hoping to get the Northern Grampians and Pyrenees Shires to make the declaration. 

In June council expressed interest in the Federal Government's new Safe Haven Enterprise Program. 

The new Visa category aims to encourage people who recently arrived in Australia as refugees to work or study in regional areas.