Fluoridation submissions process a farce
The Bega Valley Shire Council’s handling of submissions regarding the proposed fluoridation of the shire’s water supply has been nothing short of a farce.
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After receiving two completely different replies to both my husband’s and my submissions, one stating it had been forwarded on but my husband would have to re-send his to a [link] provided, questions arose, such as, why are the submissions not being dealt with by council and why are they being referred to Hunter H2O or should I say Hunter H2O Pty Ltd? The inconsistency in the replies did not instill confidence.
After attending Rob Slazenger’s excellent presentation against fluoridation of the shire’s water supply at the council chambers on March 15, I spoke to people, who like my husband and I, were very skeptical about the lack of due process in consultation with the community.
On the Bega Valley Shire Council’s website under the heading, Consultations and Public Exhibitions, we are invited to have our say on the “Fluoridation of Water Supplies”. So feeling as strongly as we do against the fluoridation of our water supply, this is what we both did, but were appalled later to find out that council is asking for submissions to be sent to Hunter H20 Pty Ltd.
This company is hired to manage water supplies, sewerage and management systems and actually purchased Hunter Water Australia PTY LTD in 2014 (a company fined $250,000 in 2014 for a fluoride leak).
Hunter Water supplied fluoride in the form of Fluorosilicic Acid. On the Hunter H2O/Bega Valley Shire Council jointly created website is a plethora of information singing the praises of fluoride combined with FAQ and fact sheets. It’s a PR propaganda, driving-the-agenda, biased, pro-fluoridation set-up, and council is referring all of our submissions to this company. Go figure!
On its website, the company states that it assists “procurement strategies, provide water and wastewater treatment, operational support and services across NSW, Australia and Internationally”. This is like council saying it has decided to pay our local dairy co-op to put a substance in our milk and if you have a problem with that, ‘have your say’ and send your submission to the dairy.
What a conflict of interest!
Rose Ferguson, Pambula Beach
I'll drink to that!
Well done, Peter Hannan and Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre on the stainless steel drink bottle initiative. A fantastic idea.
Now, let's lobby BVSC and whoever else might be able to help to install more water-filling stations in our towns and local sporting and community spaces so that those bottles can be put to good use.
While we're at it, let's ask for a plastic bag ban in this shire, an increase in recycling services and an increase in recycling bins at parks, sporting complexes, wharves and main streets.
Bottoms up!
Diana Harley, Merimbula
Gallery investment
The recently opened Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) boasts an annual contribution of some $20 million to its local economy. Indeed there are many examples of where regional art galleries are making significant economic, social and cultural contributions to their local communities.
Under Iain Dawson's leadership the social and cultural contribution in Bega has grown significantly. However the case for an improved purpose designed gallery will ensure that significantly more is achieved and that Bega Valley rightly assumes its place as one of NSW's premier cultural destinations.
Should Bega Valley Shire Council invest in the best regional gallery design options available, there is no doubt that a significant and ongoing return would be provided shire wide.
Michael Rolfe, CEO Museums and Galleries of NSW
