The rally precedes a hearing by Hunter Central Coast Regional Planning Panel in the Taree council chambers at 1.30pm Monday. Oral submissions will be heard on the MidCoast Council's development application to approve the change of use and fitout of the centralisation of it administration to the former Masters premises at Biripi Way.

"This is the last chance for concerned residents to voice their opposition to this costly and unwarranted project," group spokeswoman Katrina Pearson said. "We invite as many community members as possible to join us on Monday.

"The office centralisation project is not a priority for residents and ratepayers who have lost homes, roads, bridges and jobs. The original cost estimate of $20 million blew out to $40 million last year. Who knows how much it will end up costing ratepayers?"

The regional planning panel is an independent body that will take into account the application documents - including the statement of environmental effects, the economic impact assessment, traffic impact assessment, public submissions made during the exhibition period, as well as the relevant planning legislation and policies.

The development application is for the fitout internally of the former Masters building to cater for about 360 council staff initially, with the capacity to house additional staff in the future.

Features include workspaces for council staff including desks, hot desks meeting rooms, kitchen, breakout spaces, lockers and storage; additional toilet and end of trip (shower) facilities; windows to the north elevation; council chambers; front of house administration, where the public can access council services; 287 external parking spaces, for both council and public use; a café within the public space; changing the cladding on the south frontage from blue to white; removal of skylights with infill to match the existing roof and additional skylights; and landscaping throughout the site, including along the site boundaries and within the carpark.