They will be part of the thousands of people to gather at Martin Place to march up to Parliament House and protest for changes they say need to be made to the state government’s draft strategic regional land use policy.

Today’s rally was put together by the Lock the Gate Alliance and NSW Farmers’ Association, which organised the buses to transport members and non-members to the protest.

An association spokeswoman said there would be about 50 people on the bus leaving from Tamworth alone.

“And we’re expecting over 5000 in Sydney,” she said.

Other buses are expected to leave from Armidale, Moree, Narrabri and Gunnedah and travel through Hunter Valley towns along the New England Highway.

Local farmer and environmental groups, such as the Caroona Coal Action Group and the Northern Inland Council for the Environment, will attend.

SOS Liverpool Plains officially joined the rally campaign last week. President Kirrily Blomfield and other members of the group will be some of those present.

Mrs Blomfield said there were about 40 people coming from the Quirindi area on one of the buses.

She said a supply of the yellow triangle signs with “Lock the Gate” emblazoned on them – which has become a symbol for the anti-coal seam gas movement – will be on board to bring out at the rally.

“I think the mood will be good – people will finally have a way of venting their frustrations,” Mrs Blomfield said.

Other people are expected to drive down to the rally themselves and join up with their comrades at 12.15pm, when the protest begins.

Among those speaking at the rally will be NSW Farmers’ Association president Fiona Simson, Lock the Gate president Drew Hutton, families affected by minerals, coal and coal seam gas, and Deputy Premier and NSW Nationals Leader Andrew Stoner.