NZ - Plug pulled on Taumarunui fluoride
Plug pulled on Taumarunui fluoride
John Maslin | 14th July 2011
Ruapehu District Council has reversed a 1960s decision to fluoridate Taumarunui's water supply, claiming the original decision of the then borough council was made without extensive consultation, and was a prime reason to stop the process now.
The reversal follows consultation on the council's 2011-12 Exceptions Annual Plan which has just been completed.
Pauline Welch, who heads the council's strategic development team, said the decision was made based on a number of reasons, and not solely because of the arguments of the anti-fluoridation lobby.
Ms Welch said arguments on the future of the fluoridation of Taumarunui's water supply had "passionate submitters" both for and against. She said the 34 submissions received made fluoridation the third most popular topic from the plan and submissions were evenly split.
Ms Welch said that the Local Government Act 2002 required the council to go into the consultation phase from a completely unbiased position.
"Any form of pre-determination can open council's decisions up to a legal challenge," she said.
The council's final decision was based on some key factors.
"The introduction of fluoridation into Taumarunui water in the 1960s was done without an extensive consultation process, although it was introduced on the prevailing medical advice at the time," she said.
Ms Welch said the treatment of the water supply made ingestion of fluoride compulsory for Taumarunui residents which took away people's free choice, "many of whom desire the right to choose".
She said in spite of the decision, councillors recognised the issues of dental care.
The council noted some toothpastes contained fluoride and fluoride tablets were available if people wished to use them.
John Maslin | 14th July 2011
Ruapehu District Council has reversed a 1960s decision to fluoridate Taumarunui's water supply, claiming the original decision of the then borough council was made without extensive consultation, and was a prime reason to stop the process now.
The reversal follows consultation on the council's 2011-12 Exceptions Annual Plan which has just been completed.
Pauline Welch, who heads the council's strategic development team, said the decision was made based on a number of reasons, and not solely because of the arguments of the anti-fluoridation lobby.
Ms Welch said arguments on the future of the fluoridation of Taumarunui's water supply had "passionate submitters" both for and against. She said the 34 submissions received made fluoridation the third most popular topic from the plan and submissions were evenly split.
Ms Welch said that the Local Government Act 2002 required the council to go into the consultation phase from a completely unbiased position.
"Any form of pre-determination can open council's decisions up to a legal challenge," she said.
The council's final decision was based on some key factors.
"The introduction of fluoridation into Taumarunui water in the 1960s was done without an extensive consultation process, although it was introduced on the prevailing medical advice at the time," she said.
Ms Welch said the treatment of the water supply made ingestion of fluoride compulsory for Taumarunui residents which took away people's free choice, "many of whom desire the right to choose".
She said in spite of the decision, councillors recognised the issues of dental care.
The council noted some toothpastes contained fluoride and fluoride tablets were available if people wished to use them.
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