Environment groups in the NSW Hunter region say a gas-fired power plant in Kurri Kurri is a "white elephant" that will damage their grandchildren's future.
Federal environment minister Sussan Ley on Monday announced the Hunter Power Project has been granted final environmental approval after rigorous assessment.
Ms Ley said the 660 MW plant will generate up to 600 direct jobs at the peak of construction and 1200 indirect jobs across the state.
Environment activists say the community has been misled about the number of local jobs the power plant will create.
Lynn Benn, from the Gas Free Hunter Alliance, says the project is divisive in Kurri Kurri.
"Some think it's going to bring a lot of jobs to the community," Ms Benn told AAP.
"And we desperately need jobs, so there are some people who are strongly for it, but they've been misled on on what the the downstream benefits will be."
The government-owned energy company Snowy Hydro's environmental impact statement to the NSW planning department says there will be 10 ongoing full-time local jobs, along with 250 full-time jobs during construction.
There were 221 submissions from individuals published on the NSW major projects website, with 217 objections, one in support, three offering commentary.
Ms Benn said the site could have been used for an innovation hub instead.
"There were high hopes for that specific site. It could have been a regenerative hub for lots of incubator industries and new start-ups," she aaid.
"But that kind of activity is not going to come and share a site with a with a gas power plant, so it's a lost opportunity for jobs."
Hunter Environment Lobby president Jan Davis said the project is a waste of taxpayer dollars.
"We don't need it. Renewables are coming online even more," Ms Davis told AAP.
"So there's more and more risk that this is going to be a white elephant."
She said the project makes her worry for the future of her grandchildren and the region.
"It's a world of uncertainty, not just with jobs for the future, but if we keep going down the fossil fuel path, what sort of what sort of certainty is that?," Ms Davis said.
"We've got fires, floods, cyclones, tropical weather in places where we never had them before. I'm concerned for my grandchildren's future."
