Cairns Regional Council has passed off its fluoridation issues to the State Government.

Councillors recently voted to reaffirm that they will not fluoridate the city’s water supply, instead electing to call on the Queensland Government for alternative solutions.

James Cook University’s director of clinical dentistry Professor John Abbott says water fluoridation works, dismissing alternative methods of fluoride delivery.

Prof Abbott says none of the alternative options could be adequately controlled or measured, nor did they provide a consistent, safe dose.

A survey of 6446 people from suburbs within the council’s boundaries showed 48 per cent of respondents supported fluoride, with 39 per cent against.

Councillor Terry James brought the motion, which stated “oral health is the State Government’s responsibility” and “mass involuntary medication” required community consent.

Councillor Richie Bates - the only councillor to vote against the motion – described it as “weasel words”, and accused Cr James of lacking the “courage” to actually debate members of the medical community.

“It is a cop out to say we are not going to do anything about it because it is a state responsibility,” he said.

“We have run and hid from this matter for too long.”

Leaders at both the state and local government levels have passed off the issue.

 “Councils are not engaged in public health. Local Government doesn’t carry that expertise,” Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning said

“The senior levels of Government are being quite mischievous here. This has become a pattern over the past couple of years.

“This council has never voted against fluoride. This council has voted against the method of delivery.

“Why not have a form of delivery that you can go buy that service. This is not a sledgehammer to just whack everybody over the head with.”

The state’s Health Minister Cameron Dick said “the decision to add fluoride to water supplies will remain with local councils”

“The QLD Government will continue to strongly encourage local communities to adopt fluoridation as an oral health preventive measure,” his spokesperson told reporters.

“The Premier has also said the Government will look at reintroducing a capped infrastructure grants program for smaller Councils wanting to introduce fluoride into their drinking water.”