Fluoride issue will go to ratepayers

Press, 19 September 1985, Page 7

Fluoride issue will go to ratepayers

Waimairi ratepayers will be asked whether they want fluoride in their water supply when they receive the next rates bill.

The Waimairi District Council decided by seven votes to four last evening to send a questionnaire on fluoride to ratepayers. Some councillors disagreed with the plan, saying that such a questionnaire would not be scientific.

“To govern by poll isn’t what we are here form,” said Cr John Hanafin. Those who were “vociferous and very vocal” on the issue would be the ones who would reply to the poll. “We wouldn’t get a scientific return,” said Cr Hanafin. The retention of fluoride in the water supply had the support of the Health Department, dentists, and officials of the Dental Association, he said.

Cr John Darby said that he did not believe a questionnaire would be scientific and called for a more recognised type of survey, such as a Heylen poll. Cr Arthur Adcock said, “Councillors may as well resign if we use questionnaires to make decisions. The council’s obligation is to consider evidence for and

against and make a decision.”

Another problem for the council was how to interpret the information provided by the questionnaires, he said.

Cr Hazel Tait said, “I am amazed at some remarks at this meeting. It just shows the prejudice around the table.” Some councillors did not seem to mind if residents were asked their opinions about swimming pool fences and amalgamation, but objected if questions were asked about fluoride. Cr Tait said that there had been a lot of talk about fluoride, but she felt the only persons qualified to talk about it scientifically were those qualified in toxicology. Cr G. L. Freeman supported a questionnaire, saying that it gave all ratepayers a chance to have a say.

Cr Ralph Skjellerup said that a number of ratepayers in the district were worried about fluoride and should be allowed to say so. “It will give us a result one way or the other,” he said.

In a show of hands councillors supported the idea of a questionnaire.

The cost of distributing the questionnaire, which will be sent out with the next rates bill on October 16, is expected to be about $5OOO.

The council had also considered running a public opinion poll, which would have cost between $4500 and $6500, or a referendum, which would have cost $30,000 if not held at the time of an election. Dairy farm A dairy farm “demonstration unit,” with a helicopter landing pad, will be established near the Groynes. The council has given permission to R. G. and G. C. Wells, of Darroch Street, Belfast, to set up the demonstration unit. Permission has also been given for a helicopter to land at the farm, as long as its route avoids the residential area of Belfast and the Groynes recreational area. The District Engineer, Mr John Lamb, must also approve the route and hours of operation of the helicopter. The Wells’ property is described by the council as a productive and efficient dairying unit on town supply, near the Groynes. They planned to set up a

viewing platform in the milking shed, with a small tearoom to provide breakfasts and refreshments, and for the sale of country crafts.

The council heard that a walkway from the Groynes took people past the milking shed and some were interested in watching the milking. Small groups of tourists were also interested in watching and taking part in the milking. The landing pad for the helicopter would be behind a row of poplar trees which would buffer noise from residential properties at the end of Darroch Street.

The council approved the Wells’ application for a specified departure from the District Scheme, provided they adhered to a number of conditions. Wastes dumped?

Many people believed that hazardous wastes were dumped at the Waimairi landfill, the council was told.

Cr Adcock said that there was concern about such dumping and said that the Christchurch Metropolitan Refuse Disposal Committee should be asked if it was occurring.

The District Chairman, Mrs Margaret Murray, said that she would have a report available at the next meeting of the council’s finance committee. Pool fences

Councillors will consider a report on the fencing of swimming pools in the district at the next meeting of the council’s town planning committee in October.