Organisers of a Mosgiel public meeting about fluoridation were “pleasantly surprised” at a strong turnout and even more surprised when people asked them to organise a third meeting about the issue.

Co-organiser Dennis Enright about 70 people attended Tuesday’s meeting, which was organised after people had to be turned away from a previous meeting two weeks earlier.

Organisers had been caught short then, when at least 100 people turned up and they ran out of sitting and standing space for more.

When people started talking about three meetings in a row, even he was taken aback at how much sentiment there was about the issue, Mr Enright said.

“People were overwhelmingly opposed to the idea of fluoridation and wondering what could be done.”

Dunedin City Councillors were invited to the meeting, although only Cr Fliss Butcher fronted up and five put in apologies.

However, councillors were given short notice about the meeting and he was asked to organise another meeting at a time which would suit them, Mr Enright said.

There was a feeling councillors were not listening and people wanted more dialogue with them about the issue, he said.

Councillors will be discussing a recommendation to allow for public input about extending fluoridation to non-fluoridated water supplies through the next annual plan and long-term council community plan on November 3.

Mosgiel Taieri Community Board members have indicated to council they would like to see a referendum held in the town before there was any move to change to fluoridation of the water supply.

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