Wybong Action Group spokesman John Shewan raised the concern when the PAC Chairman advised a landholder at the microphone he had exceeded his time limit.

Mr Shewan, who was also registered as a speaker, interjected from the floor telling the Commission members he was unhappy the landholder was cut short when he was only the second person to speak out against the proposed Bengalla expansion.

The Chair, Garry West, rose quickly to his feet to halt an angry exchange between a small number in the audience, reminding everyone there were strict time limits.

Mr West said he understood the emotions involved and implored the audience to bear with the process, reassuring them his Commission would look carefully at all issues before the PAC’s Determination is handed to the NSW Government in just over six weeks.

This was the only touchy moment in an otherwise orderly and disciplined public hearing at the Muswellbrook RSL Club on Wednesday.

About 100 people turned out to see 23 speakers outline how they felt about the Bengalla Continuation Project.

The mine is seeking a 21-year extension to the development consent from 2017 with an increase in production from 8.5 million tonnes to 15 million tonnes annually.

Nineteen supported the planned expansion, three were opposed to it and one told the hearing while he was not against the Bengalla Mine itself he was speaking out against the treatment of four very old landholders approaching their 80s living in unsatisfactory circumstances on the Roxburgh Road at Wybong.

Bengalla’s general manager of operations Jo-Anne Scarini opened the hearing, telling guests Bengalla had contributed $2.5 billion in suppliers and contractor payments; $613 million in wages; $405 million in royalties; and an unspecified amount of returns for Rio Tinto subsidiary Coal and Allied, Wesfarmers, Mitsui and Taipower, owners of the joint venture operation.

Other speakers supportive of the Bengalla Continuation Project included a number of Bengalla employees, among them an industrial engineer, maintenance electrician and maintenance superintendent.

Those businesses who said their economic future was inextricably linked to the approval of the mine’s expansion included the SubZero Group Limited; Northwest Auto and Mechanical Repairs; Pirtek Muswellbrook; Flood Real Estate; Austin Engineering; Muswellbrook Steel; Pit Patrol; and Tutt Bryant Heavy Haulage.

While few supporters specifically addressed the Terms of Reference as outlined by the Planning Assessment Commission, they spoke passionately about fears for direct and indirect job losses, a reduction in revenue streams, bleak job prospects for their children and family dislocation.

The Apex Club, the PCYC and the Upper Hunter Show Committee all told the hearing they had enjoyed Bengalla’s generosity through donations and sponsorship.

More: Friday's Muswellbrook Chronicle