By ALENA HIGGINS
MAYOR Peter Blundell has expressed his disappointment at the results of the Southern Downs Regional Council fluoride survey, but does not “envisage council will revisit the issue” owing to the cost factor.
Cr Blundell said it was “unfortunate” to think that the pro-fluoride element of the community would have been more vocal had they thought the outcome of the survey would be disregarded.
“It has been obvious for some time that fluoride in drinking water has become a very emotive issue, and the practice of adding fluoride to our water supplies have been questioned, particularly by a very vocal, and I believe, minority group of people within the community,” he said.
“Council did set some very clear parameters about what constituted a valid survey, and it is unquestionable that the number of survey forms received did not meet the requirements to make it a valid survey. This was pointed out at the November General Meeting.
“The opportunity for everyone to voice their opinion was very clearly pointed out, and if the overwhelming majority of people believe that fluoride should have been included in water, it was a shame we didn’t hear from them.”
He said councillors will always hold personal opinions on issues that come before council, and in this instance they felt the number of surveys received indicated a trend of community sentiment.
“Personally, I am disappointed in the decision in that my opinion is that the dental health benefits of fluoride in drinking water outway the negative aspects which are purported by the anti-fluoride lobby,” Cr Blundell said.
“However, decision making within council is a process of individuals voting on issues that the majority carry.
“Once those decisions are made, they become a council decision which council needs to implement.”
Mayor Blundell did not respond to questions on perceived loss of public confidence following the decision and did not make assurances that a similar scenario will not happen again.
