Cr Britten stated on local radio recently that council wanted to see what the public wants before any decisions were made. He said: "We're going to proceed to going to the public on fluoridation - with the use of fluoride in southern areas of the shire - it's already in the Bega and Tathra and Kalaru areas - we accept that the science and the cost of it - which is paid by the state government - is sound; it's a question of what people's views are and we'll take those into account."

Confusion over the promise of public “consultation” subsequently arose at council’s public forum held at Pambula Golf Club, when Cr Mawhinney confirmed that council was committed to mounting a public “information campaign” on the issue and not engaging in a process of public “consultation”.

A check of the minutes of council’s meeting held on November 4 confirmed the accuracy of Cr Mawhinney’s comments, although the minutes also indicate that a final decision to proceed with the fluoridation program has yet to be made.

While considerable confusion remains as to the future of fluoridation in Merimbula, Pambula and Eden, the Bega Valley Shire Residents and Ratepayers Association (BVSRRA) believes there is absolutely no doubt that when it comes to “communication”, BVSC seems to be in a constant state of confusion.

John Richardson

Secretary, Bega Valley Shire Residents and Ratepayers Association

Tests hold a concern for long term cancer from fluoride in our water. I  am horrified at the thought of this.

And why should we all be exposed to this when there are other ways to prevent tooth decay. 

Some countries have withdrawn the program of fluoride in their water after they tried it.

Wendee Hooper

Tura Beach

I, like many people in the Bega Valley Shire, own a property and like most purchasers did appropriate due diligence on my purchase to ensure that I was aware of any work the property needed prior to confirming its purchase to ensure that it fits within my budget. 

Did the BVSC do appropriate due diligence on its purchase of the library”? It would appear that the answer is a big no. 

Like all levels of government they are prepared to spend ratepayers money without ensuring the cost of the purchase represents value to the people paying for it.

When I walk down Beach St in Merimbula and see what has been created, including wood chips washing into the lake when it rains, no access to the lake unless you want to walk over the rock wall and nowhere to sit and enjoy a picnic lunch, it makes one of the most beautiful parts of town a joke.

Surely spending the ratepayers money on our recreational spaces is the core business of the BVSC, not being the largest acquirer of property in the shire.

Will we see the same blowouts on the “training centre” and the proposed purchase of the hotel in Eden? 

Maybe if the BVSC stopped “investing astutely” in real estate we could stop increasing the taxes and at the same time start investing in our recreational spaces. 

I note the comment that the Tura Tavern/Library was conservatively valued at $3 million. Why was there not another buyer in the market prepared to pay close to the conservative valuation? Valuations and market values can be very different things.

Gary Collins 

Merimbula