May 8, 2013
The Federal Government will not force the South Burnett Regional Council to reintroduce fluoridation despite calls by six peak health groups to do so.
Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek last week ruled out any action on the issue, saying it was a matter for the State Government.
In January this year the South Burnett Regional Council voted to axe its fluoridation program to save between $170,000 and $200,000 a year.
The council said that because of the high number of water tanks in use in the region, most of the fluoridated water processed in the area wound up being sprayed on gardens.
However the council would continue to make fluoride tablets availble to residents who requested them.
Since then the North Burnett, Fraser Coast, Cairns and Doomadgee councils have also opted to remove fluoride from their town water supplies.
Gympie Shire Council is voting on the issue today.
Bundaberg, Blackall-Tambo, Cloncurry, Charters Towers, Burdekin and Cassowary Coast councils never fluoridated their water supplies.
In the lead-up to COAG meetings held between state and federal governments last month, peak health bodies the National Rural Health Alliance, the Australian Dental Association, the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association, the Australian Council of Social Service, the Public Health Association of Australia and the Australian Health Care Reform Alliance called on Ms Plibersek to force councils to embrace the scheme.
The groups said that Australia’s most prevalent health problem is tooth decay, and fluoridation is the most cost-effective and equitable way to reduce the problem.
However a spokesman for the Health Minister said it was up to the LNP Government to step in because it was responsible for allowing communities to remove fluoridation.
Ms Plibersek’s office released figures showing for every dollar spent on adding fluoride to water, the savings in health care ranged between $12 and $80, depending on the health of the community.
- Related article: Council Axes Fluoride
