The lobby group Doctors for a Safe Pacific Highway, consisting of about 70 Mid North Coast medical professionals, organised a rally last week (January 24) at Urunga, but heavy rain and flooding in the area forced the event to be cut short and another rally organised for next Tuesday, February 7.

Local GP and spokesman Dr Ray Jones said that close to 80 people turned up in Urunga on January 24, despite the wild conditions.

"We've organised another rally in conjunction with the Urunga community for 10am on 7 February near the Anchors Wharf Café for a march up to the Highway. We are expecting a large crowd to turn out for this rally. People have had enough of deaths and injuries on this part of the Highway," said Dr Jones.

Doctors for a Safe Pacific Highway was set up by doctors concerned about the carnage they were seeing from road accidents.

Dr Jones said that the Doctors group and the Urunga community are jointly seeking three outcomes from the rally.

“First, we are asking for upfront funding from the Federal and NSW Governments to complete the dual carriageway from Kempsey to Coffs Harbour and secondly, for construction to begin immediately on the Urunga to Warrell Creek section”.

“Thirdly, we would also like the speed limit reduced to 40km/hr in Urunga and other towns still located on the Pacific Highway in the short term, just until they are bypassed”, said Dr Jones.

The Doctors for a Safe Pacific Highway Group also has a longer term aim. They are asking State and Federal governments for funding to be allocated in the next 12 months to complete dual carriageway along all remaining sections of the Pacific Highway."