PRIME Minister John Howard will weigh up calls to hold a plebiscite on the controversial move to fluoridate Warrnambool’s water.

Federal Wannon MP David Hawker wrote to Mr Howard late last month, detailing the anti-fluoride campaign in the city.

“He has taken up the matter with the Prime Minister, outlining the community’s views and their request for a plebiscite,” the MP’s spokeswoman Jane Templeton said yesterday.

About 800 Warrnamboool residents unanimously supported a motion demanding Federal Government intervention on the issue at a massive public forum last month.

The turnout, at Emmanuel College, is believed to be one of the largest rallies against fluoride anywhere in the world.

Campaigners want to stamp out the state’s decision to fluoridate the city’s water supply and have any move decided by public vote.

“I think it is very heartening, we are at least getting some representation on this issue,” Warrnambool Fluoride Action Group convenor Peter Hulin said.

“It is what the people have been crying out for all along, but unfortunately we have not been getting it down here.”

The group is also aiming to put pressure on the state from a local level.

It has asked the city council to independently back the push for a non-compulsory plebiscite on water fluoridation.

Mr Hulin said that would enable Warrnambool, Koroit and Allansford residents to voice their views and enable a satisfactory resolution to the contentious issue.

The city council was contacted for comment but did not respond yesterday.

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