THE region’s drinking water will not be fluoridated, Bundaberg Regional Council has decided.
At a meeting today, the council agreed to a motion by water and wastewater spokesman Alan Bush that fluoridation not go ahead.
Cr Bush’s motion said the reason was the complex nature and high costs to fluoridate the 10 reticulated water supply locations in the Bundaberg region, together with the ongoing annual operation and maintenance costs.
“We have never once debated fluoride as a health issue,” Cr Bush said.
“It has always been a cost issue.”
Cr Bush said he would like to thank the State Government for giving local governments the option to say yes or no on the fluoride issue.
Deputy Mayor David Batt said the council had to be satisfied their decision was in the best interests of the community.
Cr Batt said a referendum should be held on the issue.
But when the vote was taken, only Cr Batt voted against the motion not to fluoridate.
Anti-fluoridation campaigner Terry Farrell was relieved at the decision.
“That’s wonderful,” he said.
“I’m excited they’ve decided not to fluoridate.”
Mr Farrell said a lot of people in Bundaberg would be happy at the decision.
He said tat he had always seen fluoridation as a health issue.
But Mr Farrell said the battle was not over.
“I think in future it will come back for another try,” he said.
“But as people become more informed about the story of fluoride there will be greater opposition.
Mr Farrell said his hope was to see the whole of Australia fluoride free.
Fluoridation supporter Dr Martin Strahan said he was investigating the council’s legal liability for having the opportunity to provide a medical mechanism at little cost to itself.
“They could be liable to a class action by people in Bundaberg who might develop cavities,” he said.
Dr Strahan said Bundaberg would be the largest residential area in Australia that was not fluoridated or about to be fluoridated.
“It is disappointing,” he said.
“I suspect there was a silent majority in favour, but we’ll never know because the council chose not to go to a referendum.”
EARLIER:
THE region’s drinking water will not be fluoridated, Bundaberg Regional Council has decided.
At a meeting the council agreed to a motion by water and wastewater spokesman Alan Bush that fluoridation not go ahead.
Cr Bush’s motion said the reason was the complex nature and high costs to fluoridate the 10 reticulated water supply locations in the Bundaberg region, together with the ongoing annual operation and maintenance costs.
Only Deputy Mayor David Batt voted against the motion.
He said a referendum should be held on the move.
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