After two hours of debate and presentations by members of the community, Bega Valley Shire Council has agreed to go ahead with adding fluoride to the remaining water supplies in the shire that currently do not have it.
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The debate was marked by many loud interruptions from the gallery, with Mayor Kristy McBain rising on several occasions to ask for respect from the public members.
The vote passed in a 6-2 majority decision, with only councillors Jo Dodds and Cathy Griff voting against it. Cr Mitchell Nadin was absent.
The council will now write to the NSW Department of Health to seek the go-ahead to add fluoride to the Tantawangalo-Kiah and Brogo-Bermagui town water supplies
Fluoride has been added to the Bega-Tathra water supply system since 1963.
The council’s decision comes days after Labor Health spokesman Walt Secord spoke out against anti-fluoride campaigners while introducing legislation, which, if passed, would give the minister additional powers to direct local councils and water authorities to add fluoride to their drinking water supply.
More to come