The protest has been organised by a group of disgruntled residents who feel council’s spending is “mismanaged”.

The group has been lobbying in the community and is gathering support, a spokesperson said.

A number of speakers will address the meeting, which will give ratepayers the opportunity to express their views on where council funds should be spent.

The meeting will be held in the War Memorial park (in the Cessnock TAFE grounds) from 2pm.