Townsville City Council unanimously rejects petition calling for no fluoridation of city’s water

A controversial e-petition with more than 200 signatures calling for Townsville City Council to review it’s fluoride in drinking water policy has been rejected with one councillor saying he didn’t want to waste any more staff time on the issue.

Mature male hand pouring a glass of water from tap in the kitchen sink

A controversial e-petition with more than 200 signatures calling for Townsville City Council to review it’s fluoride in drinking water policy has been rejected with one councillor saying he didn’t want to waste any more staff time on the issue.

The petition, which stated there is “very little scientific certainty as to the dental benefits water fluoridation provides”, called for the council to cease adding it to the city’s water supply.

Petitioners also suggested that fluoride lowered the IQ of children who consume it.

Fluoride is added to water in many local government areas across Australia, with advice from the World Health Organisation saying it is safe for human consumption within recommended intake ranges.

Queensland Health says water fluoridation protects against tooth decay and adding it to drinking was the cheapest and most effective way of providing oral health benefits to the entire community.

Councillor Brady Ellis presented the e-petition to the council and said it was an issue that had been discussed back and forth many times with many petitioners and the City of Townsville water team.

“I am not excited about wasting any more of our council employees’ time going over this issue again and again,” he said.

“The research and all of the data suggests that we are in-line with what we should be doing and so for that reason, and for the reason that we have gone back and forth so many times, we could not be clearer on this; I suggest the petition be not received.”

Townsville City Council Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney.

Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney outlined three options; that the petition should be received and no further action taken, that the petition not be received and that the relevant department investigate and report back to council for further consideration.

Cr Mooney commented that the council follows the Australian drinking water guidelines, which mirrors the World Health Organisation guidelines.

“Why would we want to go against that,” he said.

Cr Robinson said a recent study from a Queensland University in 2024 found that those who have been consistently drinking fluoridated water had an IQ score 1.07 points higher on average than those who didn't.

Cr Vera Dirou said she was “very disappointed” the petition was in front of councillors.

“It’s a health issue and should go back to the state to be making the decisions,” she said.

The vote to not receive the petition was carried unanimously.

Suspended Mayor Troy Thompson took to Facebook to share his thoughts on the petition, calling out the council for refusing a deputation presenter, saying it “goes against democratic process”.

“Unfortunately, the CEO (Joe McCabe) and Chairperson (Cr Greaney) have rejected a public member’s request to present a petition via deputation, which may indicate a predetermined decision without adequate public consultation, similar to the Magnetic Island dredge situation, as stated by a ratepayer,” he said.

Mayor Troy Thompson at the Townsville City Council general meeting. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Mr Thompson has ties to anti-fluoride organisation My Place.

He has attended multiple meetings of the Townsville contingent of the group.

Originally published as Townsville City Council unanimously rejects petition calling for no fluoridation of city’s water