Fluoride Referendum to Be Held In October

12 July 2013

Hamilton City Council today voted to hold a referendum on water fluoridation at the same time as the October local body elections.

This means that the Council will seek the views of the city’s residents about whether or not to add fluoride into the water supply following a Council decision last month to remove it.

The motion to hold a referendum came about as the result of Cr Ewan Wilson inviting signatures from members of the public to get the matter discussed at an extraordinary Council meeting. This invitation quickly gathered 2700 signatures from eligible voters.

An amendment to Cr Wilson’s motion led by Cr Dave Macpherson was eventually carried.

The decision of the Council is that the referendum be held during the local government elections in October. Also that a voluntary spending cap be requested of the key players in the process leading up to the referendum and that the wording for the referendum be approved by the Council on 16 July 2013.

The decision was carried by a vote of 7 to 6.

Fluoride was removed from the city’s water supply on 21 June after a majority Council decision (7/1)

The costs of a referendum will be minimised by holding it in conjunction with the local body Elections. A referendum will provide another opportunity for the public to participate in both the election and the fluoridation discussion.

ENDS

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