Far North GP Dr Nicole Sleeman accuses Cairns Regional Council of turning water fluoridation into ‘political football’
A leaked Cairns Regional Council report has delivered a recommendation on fluoridating the city’s water supply. HERE’S WHAT IT SAYS.
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A Far North doctor has slammed a leaked report from Cairns Regional Council that will recommend against fluoridating the city’s water supply at an ordinary meeting later this week.
But elected representatives could still push back by calling for a review into the costs associated with reintroducing the tooth-strengthening mineral at the last scheduled meeting of 2024.
In 2012, the Newman Government gave local councils control of fluoride management across the state with Cairns opting to dismantle its equipment used for water fluoridation the following year.
Despite the change in legislation, the council document has argued in its report that oral health is a state government responsibility and that “there is no overwhelming support” for or against water fluoridation.
The recommendation ignored the current laws and the Local Government Association of Queensland’s 2023 policy on preventive health, Dr Nicole Sleeman said.
“Legally, the local council is responsible and as a local councillor, that’s what you’ve signed up for,” the Cairns-based GP said.
“This is political football at its finest and the community is suffering as a result. It’s a failure of governance.”
Referencing recent comments by Premier David Crisafulli stating that water fluoridation remained a council responsibility, Dr Sleeman said councillors needed to seek health advice and make an informed decision on the issue.
“Is David Crisafulli going to change the legislation? No,” she said.
“Inaction is an action in and of itself. This is an opportunity for Cairns Regional Council to improve the health and wellbeing of our community.”
The council report recommended that its water supplies remain “without fluoridation” while engaging with the state government on unspecified “alternative programs”.
“(The) council has consulted the community through the ‘Our Cairns Survey’ in 2016 and the more recent 2024 survey,” the report said.
“(The) council has also received two deputations from different groups presenting their perspectives on the fluoridation of the water supply in November 2024.
“This engagement has highlighted that there is no clear consensus in the community on this issue.
“The recent survey results show that the community remains split with 48 per cent for and 37 per cent against it.”
Dr Sleeman disputed that water fluoridation did not have strong support from within the community.
“I’ve never seen such a mobilisation of health professionals as I have with this campaign,” she said.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the number of doctors and dentists that have come out of their consult rooms to speak publicly in support of this.”
More than a dozen health practitioners, including Queensland’s peak health body, the Australian Medical Association of Queensland, have urged the council to add fluoride to its water supply in recent months.
In November, mayor Amy Eden angered Far North doctors and dentists by declining an offer to meet with Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service’s experts on fluoride.
Ms Eden said councillors intended to meet with former chief health officer, Dr John Gerrard instead. However, Mr Gerrard cancelled at late notice.
More than 150 major health organisations worldwide, including the World Health Organisation and the Australian Dental Association support water fluoridation.
Cairns councillors are not permitted to discuss agenda items prior to ordinary meetings.
The ordinary meeting will be held in the council’s chambers on Wednesday.
The council declined to comment.
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Originally published as Far North GP Dr Nicole Sleeman accuses Cairns Regional Council of turning water fluoridation into ‘political football’
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