A city-wide fluoride referendum will be debated next Thursday, almost two weeks after a special tribunal vote to end water fluoridation came into force.

A re-crafted notice signed by councillor Ewan Wilson – without reference to the timing of a referendum – has been accepted for discussion by council.

City council democracy manager Jude Pani confirmed the notice of motion for the July 4 agenda met Standing Orders and would be on that agenda.

It’s understood that because the notice does not refer to a referendum at the time of October’s elections, previously ruled out by council, it is not seeking to revoke a council decision and needs just one signature.

Mr Wilson said his petition for a citizens’ initiated referendum, needing 1500 signatures for the same outcome, has collected one thousand names.

He hoped to have the petition complete in time for the referendum debate. A special tribunal voted 7-1 on June 5 to end fluoridation by June 21.

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