Community
14 December, 2024
‘Fluoride can get stuffed’
CAIRNS Regional Council will not reintroduce fluoride to the region’s water supply – but it was not unanimous.
Cr Anna Middleton (Div.7), along with Cr Trevor Tim (Div. 4) and Cr Rob Pyne (Div.5) spoke passionately in favour of fluoride, arguing it would improve the overall health and wellbeing of residents during Wednesday’s final council meeting of the year.
But Mayor Amy Eden, deputy mayor Brett Olds and councillors Brett Moller (Div.1), Matthew Tickner (Div.2), Cathy Zeiger (Div.3) and Kristy Vallely (Div. 4) accepted an officer’s recommendation “that (the) council notes that fluoride is not currently added to the potable public water supplies and reaffirms its current position: not to fluoridate the Cairns Regional Council water supply”. Cr Rhonda Coghlan (Div.8) was absent.
There was thunderous applause from anti-fluoride protestors while supporters left the meeting in disgust.
At times the packed and noisy public gallery shouted over and threw insults at councillors.
Cr Olds, who moved the recommendation be endorsed, said council surveys showed there was no overwhelming support for fluoride.
