The candidates — Anthony Craig, an independent running for the Upper House, and Legislative Assembly hopefuls Cassandra Coleman (Country Labor), Paul Toole (National Party) and Tracey Carpenter (The Greens) — lined up to answer questions from the public as well as give their reasons as to why the Lithgow region should vote for them.

The forum began with most questions centred around jobs, power sell-offs and the future of the region.

Up front was the power poles and wires ‘sell-off’, quickly pointed out by Mr Toole as not being a sell-off but a lease that will be on offer.

He also reminded the audience it was the previous Labor government that set the stage for the sale of the Wallerawang Power Station ‘for next to nothing’ with its gentrader agreement.

In response to a question on the transition from coal fired energy to renewable energy Greens candidate Tracey Carpenter stated that the transition has already begun and that the state needs its own targets set.

ALP’s Cass Coleman suggested it is a state, federal and global issue and policies need to be implemented on all levels.

Mr Toole projected there was still a way to go with coal fired energy and that ‘it won’t be phased out in the next five years’.

Anthony Craig believes coal will still remain the number one source of power in the immediate future as well.

Mr Craig stated that if renewable energy is the future then government needs to think about the towns relying on industry such as coal and the change needs to be something that will benefit the Lithgow community.

Council amalgamations was another topic on the list with all agreeing at this stage there will be no forced amalgamations.

Things got a bit heated as the forum neared the end with one irate member of the public demanding to know why ‘you can’t get housing in Lithgow’.

After the man was asked to stop talking and refused he was asked to leave the forum — which he did after some more fiery words were exchanged.

The night wrapped up with a final summation from each individual candidate.