THERE is a renewed push to keep fluoride in some of the Mackay region’s water supplies.

Mackay Regional councillor Martin Bella, who is based in Sarina, asked council officers to deliver a report at the next council meeting on if it was possible for Sarina to keep fluoride since water was supplied by a different treatment plant to Mackay.

The Mackay Regional Council is now investigating whether the water supply in specific communities of the Mackay region can retain fluoride.

Cr Bella said the inquiry was made after a phone survey of residents – which was used in the council’s decision to remove fluoride in September – revealed that a majority of Sarina residents wanted fluoride.

In September, Cr Bella was one of five councillors who voted to keep fluoride in the water supply.

The motion to remove fluoride from Mackay’s water supply passed six to five.

At the time, Mayor Greg Williamson said it was a “tough decision” for councillors and it was based on the public’s feedback.

“I need to at least ask the question on whether it can be done (retaining fluoride in Sarina),” Cr Bella said.

“The decision was made to remove fluoride because that what the majority of people wanted according to the survey.

“This is just a natural extension of that democracy.”

He said the results in Sarina to keep fluoride in the water wasn’t the case of a few percentages.

“The difference is about 10%,” he said.

According to Cr Bella, the survey revealed that 45% wanted fluoride in the water, 35% against and 20% undecided.

“Of those surveyed about 51% has little to no concern, so you would expect the undecided to be split,” he said.

Mackay Regional Council refused a request from the Daily Mercury to see the full survey, but the details of the survey will be included in the report to be delivered at the next council meeting.

“The proposed Greyhound ban (in NSW) was reversed the Backpacker Tax was reversed. There is no decision that can’t be reversed,” Cr Bella said.

He would not reveal if next month’s report would lead to another motion before the council on the fluoride issue, but if it was possible then he would host a information day in Sarina to get more feedback from residents.

The report will be delivered to the councillors at the next council meeting.

Print PDF