Australia - Residents share their thoughts on fluoride in the Brogo-Bermagui water supply

ON TAP: Tyge and Miller, both 12, of Bermagui drink water from the public bubbler when they hang out at the Bermagui skate park, which is set to be fluoridated following a recent decision by Bega Valley Shire Council.

There are mixed opinions from those hooked up to the Brogo-Bermagui town water supply regarding Bega Valley Shire Council’s decision to add fluoride to the system. 

On Wednesday, February 21, council voted to seek approval from the NSW Department of Health to add fluoride to the Tantawangalo-Kiah and Brogo-Bermagui town water supplies.

Fluoride has been added to the Bega-Tathra water supply system since 1963.

Although his property isn’t connected to town water, Bob Herdegen of Verona had no objection to fluoridating the water system because it would benefit the wider community. 

“I lost a bunch of my teeth to decay when I was younger, so anything that protects against that happening to other people is welcome by me,” he said. 

But Bermagui resident Frances Matters disagreed, saying people should have the right to decide what they put into their bodies. 

As a mother, she was opposed to her daughter ingesting fluoridated water.

“She brushes her teeth everyday and her toothpaste already has fluoride in it, so I don’t think we need more than that,” Ms Matters said. ......................