Fluoridation consultation starts

Public consultation on whether or not to add fluoride to the Patea and Waverley town water supplies opens on Monday 8 October and runs until 9 November 2012.

Currently, neither the Patea or Waverley town water supplies are fluoridated, however, as part of the 2011/12 Annual Plan process, and in response to requests from public submissions, the South Taranaki District Council agreed to consult about the possibility of adding fluoride to the towns’ water supplies.

Specifically, the Council will be asking residents of Patea and Waverley if they want it to:

Keep things the way they are and not fluoridate the Patea and/or Waverley town water supplies; or begin adding fluoride to the Patea and/or Waverley town water supplies.

STDC Community services manager, Claire Symes, says to help residents make an informed decision, the Council is holding public information evenings in Waverley and Patea on 8 and 9 October 2012.

“At these information evenings there will be two presentations, one from those in support of fluoridation and one from those against. Each party will have 30 minutes to present their information and following the presentations, there will be a 30 minute question and answer session,” says Mrs Symes.

Public Information Evenings

Waverley: Monday 8 October, 7pm, Waverley Community Centre, Chester Street

Patea: Tuesday 9 October, 7pm, Patea Old Folks Hall, Egmont Street

Further information about Fluoride is also available at the Patea and Waverley LibraryPlus centres.

Following the month long consultation period there will be a special Hearing held at 9am on Monday 26 November in the Council Chamber for those people who wanted to speak to their submissions. Only people who have made written submissions can speak at this Hearing.

Submission Forms are available at the Patea and Waverley LibraryPlus centres. Alternatively you can complete a form online at www.southtaranaki.com or email a submission to fluoride@stdc.govt.nz

Once the Council has considered all of the information received, it will meet on 10 December 2012 (Deliberation Meeting) to make a decision.

All Patea and Waverley town residents and submitters will be notified of the Council’s decision following the Deliberation meeting.

Key Dates to Remember

8 October 2012

Submissions Open

Waverley Public Information Evening

9 October 2012

Patea Public Information Evening

9 November 2012

Submissions Close at 4pm

26 November 2012

Special Hearing

10 December 2012

Deliberation Meeting

ends

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