Anti-flouride campaigners will take an early moral victory in their bid to rid Kāpiti’s water supply of what they call ‘toxic waste’.
At the urging of Councillor Peter Daniel, Kāpiti Coast District Council has resolved to consult during the 2010/2011 Annual Plan process on whether fluoride should cease to be added to the treated water supply in the central part of the district.
Water from the Waikanae Water Treatment plant supplies the Raumati, Paraparaumu and Waikanae areas of the District and fluoride has been added to the treated water for a number of years. No fluoride is added to Council’s reticulated water supplies in Paekākāariki or Ōtaki.
Following recent representations the Council decided to consult on the issue as part of the general annual plan consultation process.
Formal consultation on the draft Annual Plan and two necessary amendments to the Long Term Council Community Plan 2009 will commence on April 12 with submissions closing on May 13. Hearings will be held in late May and final decisions on the Annual Plan and amendments made in time for the plan to be finalised at the end of June.
“The Council is aware there are arguments for and against the addition of fluoride to the water supply and it seems reasonable to gauge the community’s views on the matter at the same time as we are consulting on our plans for 2010/2011,” Mayor Jenny Rowan said today.
“If it’s clear the community’s view is that it should cease to be added, then we will be able to take action in July 2010 to do that,” she said.
Seven councillors voted in favour of a motion moved by Cr Tony Jack for public consultation and three, Crs Ellis, Molineux, and Ammundsen voted against.
Cr Lyndy McIntyre told KCNews “it was mindboggling that any councillors would vote against consulting with the public on such an important issue. Voting against this means denying the community the chance to have their say.”
She said Council was about to start its most significant round of public consultation and “how could it not make sense to include this issue.”
Councillor Peter Daniel has campaigned strongly to have flouride removed from the water supply.
“I thought it was okay until I began to educate myself. Don’t make up your mind until you have gone right back to the beginning. You have to understand what went on long before fluoride was introduced into our water supply. I obtained a copy of Christopher Bryson’s book The Fluoride Deception.
“If you do read it I guarantee that like myself you will do everything in your power to make sure fluoridated water never passes your lips or those of your family or pets. Let alone showering or bathing with it,” said Cr Daniel.
