THREE Eurobodalla Shire Councillors have already lodged a rescission motion after council yesterday voted 5-4 not to fluoridate the shire’s public water supply.

The decision came despite 67.5 per cent of respondents to council’s community survey having said they wanted fluoride in the water supply.

Councillors Peter Cairney, Chris Kowal, Graham McGillivray and Alan Morton supported a motion put by Cr Allan Brown not to fluoridate the water supply.

Mayor Neil Mumme reminded councillors before the vote that almost seven out of 10 residents who responded to the survey were in favour of fluoride and that to vote for the motion was to disregard the clear direction given by the community.

The survey and information sheet was delivered to the Eurobodalla’s 17,000 households during March. Just over 3400 surveys were returned, representing 6000 responses or about 22 per cent of the shire’s adult population. This is considered to be a large return rate for a voluntary survey, according to the independent consultant hired to conduct the consultation.

Cr Mumme chaired yesterday’s meeting, which began with a lengthy public forum session. Councillors were presented with the results of the community consultation at a workshop prior to the meeting.

“While I respect the view of council, I’m disappointed that the decision was arrived at with scant regard for the community’s stated views,” Cr Mumme said.

The State Government asked council to consider fluoridation prior to construction of the shire’s first water treatment plant, planned to commence next financial year.

Crs Mumme, Rob Pollock and Fergus Thomson lodged the rescission motion immediately after the meeting. The possibility of rescinding the previous motion and taking another vote on the issue will be discussed at next week’s meeting.

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