An estimated group of 500 people are set to block coal coming in and out of the Port of Newcastle for the 11th time on Sunday, in the "People's Blockade of the World's Biggest Coal Port".
Organised by School Strike 4 Climate and Extinction Rebellion, the protest aims to put climate change on the agenda ahead of the federal election.
Protesters will call on the government to urgently phase out of coal mining and exports, support coal workers and communities into the industries of the future and establish an offshore renewable energy zone to create jobs in offshore wind.
23-year-old University of Newcastle law student Zack Schofield is one of the organisers of the protest. He said this year's event will be the biggest yet.
"The blockade has been going on for 11 years in Newcastle because of the importance we have to the coal export industry. Especially now in this election year it is more important than ever because the government has failed in their responsibility to take care of Newcastle so it is up to us to step up," he said.
"It is not just climate change that is the problem here it is also the industries. The Hunter was born from coal. We need to transition away from that while keeping those people and the community safe. That means new industries, new jobs, and keeping up with the times.
"People in those industries recognise that in the decades to come things are going to change rapidly and we need to keep up. The government needs to help the community adjust to the changing times. That is their job and they are failing."
Protesters will block the port from 8am to 3pm on Sunday by protesting on the water in kayaks at Horseshoe Beach.
St Philip's year 10 student Emily Ashton has also helped organise the blockade. At 15 years old she can't vote in the election, but she said this is a way to get her message across.
"I feel angry. The fact that we have to demand these things from adults whose job is to keep us safe is ridiculous," she said.
"People that can vote should vote on my behalf and on behalf of other students and children who are ineligible.
"The Port of Newcastle is the largest coal port in the world and that goes to show we are a really big part of the industry and we need to have a look at what we are doing."
The protest is planned to be a peaceful day of activism, with live music and activities on the beach.
It comes exactly one month after hundreds of school students protested at Civic Park, calling for climate action.
