LOCAL councils will continue to have the power to decide if fluoride is put in their water supply, the State Government announced this week.

Mayor Matt Burnett says it’s an issue “highly likely” to come before his new council soon.

And he said, while he thinks it should be a state issue, once a vote is put to his council, he will be voting against having fluoride in Gladstone’s water supply.

Last time Gladstone Regional Council voted was in 2013; the vote in favour, five votes to four.

“My personal position is that it should be removed from the water supply,” Mr Burnett said. “If it does come to the table, and I have no doubt that it will, I will vote to remove it.”

Responding to a petition presented to Parliament earlier this year, Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick called for the state government to mandate fluoridation of the state’s water supply.

“The Government recognises that water fluoridation is a safe and effective means of preventing tooth decay for people of all ages,” Mr Dick said in his response.

“However, the Government is committed to working collaboratively with local governments to support water fluoridation rather than imposing requirements on them.”

Australian Dental Association Queensland president Dr Julee Birch said the association would like to see the State Government take responsibility for water fluoridation.

Dr Birch said the ADAQ wanted all water in Queensland fluoridated as the health benefits were well researched and studied.

“There’s no question it’s of benefit to the population,” Dr Birch said.

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