Australia - Councillor Lisa Intemann says community must make opinion clear on fluoride

 A COMMUNITY poll on water fluoridation will be held in conjunction with the September 4 local government elections.

The community will be asked: "Yes or no: would you prefer that council stop adding fluoride (hydrofluorosilicic acid) to the public water supply?"

The fluoridation debate has been on the table for 30 years since the first poll was conducted in 1991. The contentious issue one that deputy mayor Lisa Intemann has been an active voice on since 2004 when the matter was brought to council.

Cr Intemann opposes water fluoridation, and welcomes a community poll to gauge public opinion on the matter which can then guide future discussions with NSW Health.

In August 2004, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council referred the decision on fluoridation to the state government. In September, the NSW Department of Health directed the council to fluoridate its drinking water supply.

Fluoridation began in the Hastings in February 2012 after construction and completion of the fluoridation plant, which was made possible with state government funding close to $1.8 million.

 Deupty mayor Lisa Intemann welcomes community feedback in a poll on fluoridation at the September 4 local government elections.

The NSW Department of Health subsequently directed the council to fluoridate its drinking water supply.

Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams and the Australian Dental Association has questioned the purpose of the community poll. Mrs Williams reaffirmed in Parliament last year she continues to support the position of NSW Health and the National Health and Medical Research Council on fluoridation.

"I grew up in Sydney but never really thought about fluoridation. It's not something much talked about," Cr Intemann said...........................................