Fluoride in Cairns water: Mayor Terry James slaps down health boss Harry Robertson’s opinion

Poll results show what Cairns Post readers think about fluoriated water, while the state government uses the issue to hang questions marks around a key funding request.

Cairns mayor Terry James has slapped down an oral health expert’s opinion on fluoridated water as a state politician uses the issue to hang question marks around a key funding request for a council project.

On Thursday the Cairns Post reported rates of tooth decay among Cairns’ children were almost double the rates in regions with fluoridated water, according to Queensland Health data.

Dr Harry Robertson, director of oral health at Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, said increasing fluoride in the region’s water supply to therapeutic levels would have an immense public health benefit without evidentiary precedent of harmful consequences.

Dr Harry Robertson, CHHHS' director of oral health, said the reintroduction of fluoride would have an immense public health benefit for Cairns’ residents. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

Mayor Terry James said Dr Robertson was “just one person” weighing in on the issue.

Cairns MP Michael Healy has since said the mayor needs to recognise who the experts on the matter are.

“There’s a significant difference between an expert’s view and someone else’s opinion. The evidence and the facts are usually on the side of the expert, who have a more informed position,” Mr Healy said.

Cairns’ mayor Terry James dismissed the opinion of Dr Robertson as “just another person” weighing in on the debate. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Councils have a responsibility to ensure the best for their communities. This is about providing a good health services. I would encourage the council to listen to what the experts are saying.”

Mr Healy suggested re-fluoridation of Cairns’ water supply, including the costs of implementation and operation, could merge with negotiations between the council and state government regarding funding for the council’s $472m water security project.

“While Cairns Regional Council has its hand out to the state for more than $207m in water project funding, it makes good sense for this new infrastructure to include the capacity to deliver fluoridated water,” he said.

Cairns MP Michael Healy has connected the discussion about fluoridated water with water security project funding negotiations between the State and Cairns Regional Council. Picture: Liam Kidston

“We know that many councils, including Cairns, face barriers to introducing fluoridated water, including infrastructure and operational costs. The Health Minister has publicly committed to working with the water minister (and) local governments … to understand how we can encourage the uptake of this important public-health initiative.”

Since 2016 Cairns Regional Council has refused to bring fluoride in the region’s water to levels recommended by Queensland Health, claiming a lack of “overwhelming community support”.

But a Cairns Post poll on the reintroduction of fluoridated water showed 71 per cent of 366 respondents believed the region’s water supply should be fluoridated.

A council spokesman reiterated the council’s position was unchanged.

“Any change to this position would be a matter for the new council to consider,” he said.

Barron River MP Craig Crawford said it was time council heeded experts’ opinion on fluoridation.

“The evidence is there.,” Mr Crawford said.

“Some families in Cairns aren’t fortunate enough to be living a healthy lifestyle. Fluoridation gives everyone a fighting chance to not have rotten teeth.”

Originally published as Fluoride in Cairns water: Mayor Terry James slaps down health boss Harry Robertson’s opinion