Organised by the Merriwa District Progress Association, Lee Watts (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers), current Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen (NSW Nationals), Tony Lonergan (NSW Greens), Jay Suvaal (spokesperson for Melanie Dagg - NSW Country Labor) and Richard Stretton (Christian Democratic Party) all spoke convincingly.

As residents head to the polls on March 23, the majority of the forum centred on climate change, the involvement of coal mining and how the Upper Hunter economy could be transitioned away from its dependence on that industry.

Local Muswellbrook farmer, ex-school teacher and activist Mr Lonergan was unequivocal.

"Scientists have been warning us about global warming for the past 30 years and we have a plan to transition away from coal," he said.

"I'm standing as a candidate because of climate change - dealing with any other issue is like re-arranging the deck chairs on a sinking ship."

Upper Hunter Shire Councillor, and Scone local, Mrs Watts was more cautious.

"I'm not for or against coal mining, but we have to be real and see a detailed plan," she admitted.

"Otherwise we should stay with what we've got."

Mr Johnsen threw his support behind the industry.

"We have to be real," he said.

"We all depend heavily on mining.

"From the clothes you wear, to the seat you're sitting on, to the car you drive - we all depend on things being taken from the ground.

"People need jobs and the question is to what extent are humans having an impact on climate change?"

Mr Stretton acknowledged that "climate change exists and that we need to diversify away from coal in the Singleton and Muswellbrook areas".

"As we diversify away from coal, we have to encourage more manufacturing to help take its place," he said.

"We also need a state government that buys more domestically produced things like train carriages instead of buying them from Korea."

Mr Suvaal, on behalf of Mrs Dagg, declared that "if elected, Labor has set a target of 50 per cent of the state's electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030".

"Especially with the installation of roof top solar panels that will also generate jobs," he added.

"We also believe that it's better for us to export coal, while the demand is still there, while we're introducing our renewable energy targets."

Candidates then were allowed to summarise why the voters should choose them to represent the Upper Hunter.

Jay Suvaal: "We want to invest more in health... and more in education - fully funding the Gonski Report recommendations as well as providing more funding for TAFE to help us address skills shortages."

Lee Watts: "The major parties have forgotten us. We want different and better outcomes in electricity, health and transport and we will hold whoever forms government to account."

Richard Stretton: "We have to bring the country back from selling our assets and our land to the Chinese. Fred Nile has held the balance of power in NSW for 37 years and has had a lot of mud slung at him and none of it has stuck."

Michael Johnsen: "I've only served my first four-year term during this time, I have delivered approximately $851 million in investment and I'd like the chance to continue my work to deliver more."

Tony Lonergan: "We've got to be smarter and live within our means - what sort of world do you want to live in?"