Push for review of council fluoride decision

FEARFUL: Susanna Piper, of Alstonville, is concerned about the effects of sodium fluoride on her autistic son, Ryan, 13.

Brenden Allen

THIS week's decision to fluoridate Ballina Shire's water supply has broken the heart of one Alstonville mother.

Susanna Piper is worried about the effect it will have on her 13-year-old autistic son, who she says is already 'severely poisoned and sick'.

“I'm appalled that the council has made this decision in such haste, with a lack of public consultation,” she said.

“There was no indication that this issue was going to be voted on at the council meeting.

“People didn't have the opportunity to voice their concerns.

“I am disappointed that children and adults in the Ballina community won't be protected from the neurotoxin sodium fluoride.”

Wardell resident Brian McDougall is also angry over the council's decision.

“No one asked under what premise would they like to reconsider the review. There were no statistics to back up the claims,” he said.

“After all, we are only dealing with poisons, mass medication and freedom of choice.

“Nor was there any recent public consultation or poll on the decision to fluoridate Ballina Shire's drinking water.”

However, North Coast Area Health Service 'Teeth for Health' project officer, John Irving, said the council had made the 'right decision'.

“There has been heaps of public discussion about it in the past three years,” he said.

“We surveyed more than 10,000 people in NSW, including people in Ballina Shire, and 87 per cent supported fluoridation.”

But Ms Piper wants people who are against fluoridation to email, write to or call the council.

“Make direct contact with them. We will see if we can get this decision overturned,” she said.