Stratford’s councillors will be asked to consider keeping fluoride in the town’s water supply when it goes over its draft long-term plan today.

In contrast to New Plymouth, where the council controversially voted to remove fluoride from its water last year amid heated debate, support for fluoridation has overwhelming approval from Stratford submitters.

Of 63 submissions the Stratford District Council received on the issue, 51 supported fluoride in the town’s water while only 12 were opposed.

Meanwhile, residents living on a far-flung eastern Taranaki road will be out in force today to make sure the councillors don’t delay fixing their narrow and dangerous road.

Ten residents who use Mangaehu Rd, off the Forgotten World Highway, will voice their opinions on the SDC’s draft long-term plan today.

The residents’ spokeswoman, Rebecca Mackie, said they thought their road was next in line for tar-sealing in yearly stages.

But the tyres came off when the council signalled its intention to push a widening and strengthening programme instead.

Mrs Mackie hoped their submissions would show council they meant business.

She said increases in logging had brought the issue to a head and widening the road would not cut it.

“I personally think councillors will listen because they have to.”

As ratepayers they were entitled to a good road, she said.

The SDC received 155 submissions to its draft plan, with 27 people set to speak to their submissions today.

The draft plan has a projected average rate rise of 6.2 per cent for the next financial year as the council begins building three new water treatment plants.

Over the next 10 years ratepayers can expect an average annual 4.9 per cent rates increase as the council works through construction of the water treatment plants and road strengthening for forestry purposes.

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