Toowoomba's Deputy Mayor opposes fluoride ...
Deputy Mayor Paul Antonio today plans to make a “strong move” against the State Government forcing Toowoomba residents to drink fluoride.
Cr Antonio, council's water services committee chairman, said he was not against fluoridated water as he gave fluoride tablets to his children and praised its benefits.
However, he believed it should not be forced on residents.
...
Water fluoridation completion dates
Mt Kynoch Water Treatment Plant…December 2009
Crows Nest Water Treatment Plant… December 2010
Highfields Water Treatment Plant… December 2010
Millmerran Water Treatment Plant… December 2010
Yarraman Water Treatment Plant… December 2010
Cambooya Bores… December 2012
Clifton Water Treatment Plant… December 2012
Hodgsonvale Water treatment Plant… December 2012
Pittsworth - Brookstead Water Treatment Plant… December 2012
Wyreema Water Treatment Plant… December 2012
See - Antonio opposes fluoride move.
posted by Concerned Ratepayer at 6:49 AM
9 Comments:
He is only doing that because it is in his backyard!
He doesn't give a rats about Toowoomba potentially having to drink recycled sewage water.
He is only interested in Millmerran.
7:58 AM, January 20, 2009
Must be getting heat from some people at Millmerran.
10:13 AM, January 20, 2009
ABC News:
Darling Downs council seeks fluoride tablet alternative
20 January 2009
A Darling Downs council wants to opt out of the State Government's water fluoridation scheme and instead offer residents fluoride tablets.
Fluoride is already in most south-east Queensland drinking water supplies and is due to be added to Toowoomba's water by the end of the year.
Toowoomba Deputy Mayor Paul Antonio says a report out today shows it will be logistically and financially difficult.
"As far as we're concerned we want to talk to the State Government about this because we believe there's a better way of delivering fluoride to those people who want to use fluoride," he said.
The State Government wants 90 per cent of Queensland's water supplies fluoridated by 2012 to improve dental health.
Councillor Antonio says the council will consider today whether to ask the Government if it can offer a tablet alternative.
"There are obviously a lot of people who don't want it and there are obviously people who do want it and see a benefit in it," he said.
"I think we can deliver it in a different way without forcing people to do things and make it a choice that people have."
Acting Premier Paul Lucas says Toowoomba cannot opt out and the State is meeting the capital costs of adding fluoride.
"Well I don't think that's unreasonable for councils that supply water to meet the relatively modest ongoing costs of fluoridation, they meet the ongoing costs of chlorinating the water and other treating of it as well," he said.
"It's a very modest cost but the State will meet the full cost of installation.
"I'm happy to work with the Toowoomba Council to see if there are any issues they have got."
11:41 AM, January 20, 2009
ONLY A CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT WILL STOP THESE MANIACS
8:24 PM, January 20, 2009
the politicians or the anti-fluoride brigade?
9:18 PM, January 20, 2009
Anna Bligh on TV with her fluoride water - oops the plant failed due to a lightning strike and the fluoride didn't get into the water.
9:59 PM, January 20, 2009
The Chronicle:
Toowoomba ratepayers face big fluoridation bill
20 January 2009
TOOWOOMBA region ratepayers will shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars to operate 20 water fluoridation plants if council loses its appeal for an exemption.
The State Government's compulsory water fluoridation legislation dictates that fluoride must be flowing through Toowoomba residents' taps by December.
The technical and operational issues specific to the city's complex water supply were discussed at yesterday's council committee meeting.
While the State Government will pay for the estimated $4.6 million capital costs of building the plants, the operational and maintenance costs will be left for ratepayers.
Toowoomba Regional Council's water operations manager Alan Kleinschmidt yesterday told councillors there was a risk that Garden City residents would not even receive the correct dose of fluoride.
“The majority of Toowoomba residents will receive drinking water containing less than the mandated fluoride concentration, due to the blending of Mt Kynoch water and bore water in the distribution and reticulation system,” Mr Kleinschmidt said.
Deputy Mayor Paul Antonio (water services committee chairman) yesterday voiced his concerns.
“This matter is a classic example where a government has decided that one boot fits everyone. But it doesn't fit Toowoomba,” he said.
“What we need to do is give the people who want fluoride the opportunity to have fluoride. I think we can achieve that.
“There is a much simpler method (fluoride tablets) rather than attempt to put it in a complex water system.”
Mr Kleinschmidt, who is a member of the Queensland Water Fluoridation Group, recommended that council apply for an exemption from the requirement to operate a water fluoridation plant at Mt Kynoch.
Council accepted the recommendation. Mayor Peter Taylor hoped the Government would listen to their case.
“Whether you are in favour or against fluoridation on a compulsory basis, there are some really significant technical operational issues to comply with the legislation,” he said.
10:05 AM, January 21, 2009
ABC News:
Toowoomba can't opt out of fluoridation: Govt
21 January 2009
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) says it would be disappointing if Toowoomba did not take part in the Queensland Government's water fluoridation scheme.
The Toowoomba Regional Council, in southern Queensland, says it is too difficult to add fluoride to water supplies, but the Government insists the city cannot opt out.
The ADA's Rob Sivertsen says residents have wanted fluoridation for a long time.
"Fluoridation of the water supply is something that the ADAQ [has had] as a high item on its agenda for something like 60 years," he said.
"It's been a long, long, ongoing struggle.
"Quite honestly we were euphoric when the State Government announced it was going to be implemented."
Toowoomba deputy Mayor Paul Antonio wants to offer residents fluoride tablets, saying a report shows it would be too difficult to fluoridate water supplies.
"I've spoken to Paul Antonio and we have discussed the two of us meeting and perhaps just discussing common concerns with the view to working together to making something work," Mr Sivertsen said.
"He himself is fairly supportive of fluoridation, but he's just has got some concerns about the mechanics of it."
10:07 AM, January 21, 2009
The Chronicle:
Fluoride option hard to swallow
21 January 2009
PHARMACY manager Garry Franklin was bemused when he saw deputy mayor Paul Antonio encouraging the use of fluoride tablets this week - considering they are no longer being produced.
The head of the council's water committee had no clue Colgate and Oral B had discontinued their lines when he suggested the product as an alternative to fluoridated water on Monday.
He was only informed on Tuesday that Colgate's chief dental officer had recommended the supply be stopped on December 1 to avoid the risk of children developing dental fluorosis - a condition caused by a fluoride overdose.
The tablets have since been cleared from Toowoomba chemist shelves, according to Mr Franklin and several pharmacists contacted by The Chronicle yesterday. Cr Antonio said a “couple of country pharmacies” had limited supplies.
“I'm sure we could approach a pharmaceutical company who could supply tablets if the demand was there,” Cr Antonio said.
Toowoomba-based Australian Dental Association of Queensland councillor Rob Sivertsen met with Cr Antonio last night to discuss the difficulties of implementing and maintaining the fluoridation plants. Dr Sivertsen said a debate based around tablets was academic.
“They're simply not available,” he said. “I would be disappointed if the council spends time tossing up possibilities before throwing its hands up.”
Mr Franklin, from Scott Street Pharmacy, said fluoride tablets had not been available since before Christmas.
“I would have thought the council would have checked it out before suggesting it as an option,” he said.
Deputy Premier Paul Lucas told The Chronicle yesterday said he would speak to the council about its concerns about the cost of maintaining the infrastructure needed to add fluoride to the water.
“I'm not prepared to have a situation where people on the Darling Downs have rotten teeth,” he said.
“The State Government has not received any formal correspondence from the Toowoomba Regional Council regarding its concerns and no other councils have applied for an exemption.”
Dr Sivertsen said children needed to be exposed to massive concentrations of fluoride before it damaged tooth enamel.
12:19 AM, January 22, 2009
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