A panel from the Independent Planning Commission (IPC), which was chaired by Zada Lipman, heard almost 50 speakers who all had their say on the project.

While the meeting was orderly, the views could hardly have been more different between the two sides who often contradicted each other throughout the day.

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment completed its evaluation of the Dartbrook Coal Mine - Modification 7 (DA 231-7-2000 MOD7) and referred it to the IPC for determination, after receiving an application from AQC Dartbrook Management Pty Ltd.

The mine, which is located southwest of Aberdeen, has been in care and maintenance since 2006.

Australian Pacific Coal CEO John Robinson was the first to make his address and claimed the company had gone through stringent processes to ensure the operation would all be by the books - and spruiked its effect on the area.

"The department's summary concluded the impacts of the development could be managed to achieve a satisfactory level of environmental performance," he said.

"The modification will rejuvenate a former operating mine to provide employment and direct and indirect benefits to the community."

This was also the view of Muswellbrook Shire Citizen of the Year Len Kelman, who said it could be extremely valuable for many locals.

"My main interest is the potential employment and opportunities that could be there not only for the mine workers directly employed by the operation, but the downstream employment that it will bring the community throughout the entire coal chain," he said.

One of the most vocal opponents to the plan has been the Upper Hunter Shire Council, who was responsible for one of the 42 objections the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (NSWDPE) received before green-lighting it to go to the IPC.

Councillor Kiwa Fisher said much of the research undertaken by the proponents of the mine was out-dated or misleading.

"An accumulative impact assessment was first promised by the department (NSWDPE) in 1987, it was promised again in the Strategic Regional Land Use Plan with delivery by March 2013," he said.

"Many Planning Assessment Commissions (now IPC) have also called for this but it remains in the bureaucratic too hard basket.

"We remain concerned that these impacts have never been properly discussed and note the accumulative impact management clause in the current consent has actually been deleted."

Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) president Mike Kelly came out in support of the project and the jobs it could create.

"It is critical that the economic benefits from the coal industry be maximised as the global economy transitions over the next three or four decades," he said.

"An approval of this modification can support investor confidence in the Upper Hunter and encourage investors in all types of industries that legally compliant developments in our region have a future."

Local farmers Butch Smith and Grantly Blake told two very different yarns regarding the industry's impact on their properties.

The former said the mines hadn't had caused any significant issues on his property and have been extremely supportive, while the latter spoke of several horror stories about his altercations with them and the problems their presence have generated.

Former Greens' Upper Hunter state candidate and environmentalist Tony Lonergan questioned what the future could hold if the Dartbrook plan is approved, warning it could be a "Trojan horse" for future expansions.

The debate will rage on but now it's up to the IPC to decide on the final outcome, but with no official timeline on their decision there will be many stakeholders on both sides holding their breath for a while to come.