5 December 2022
Media: Stuff
Topic: Fluoridation of water supplies
Enquiry
I'm writing an article about the Director General of Health's order to 14 councils in July to introduce fluoride to the community water supply.
As one of the councils impacted, could you please provide a response to the following questions.
- Are you on track to complete the introduction of fluoride to your water supply by 30 April, 2024?
- If not, when is fluoride likely to be introduced, and what are the main causes of the delay?
- What is the estimated cost of capital cost of implementing fluoride, and what are the expected management and monitoring costs?
- Are the costs in line with what you advised the Ministry ahead of the July 2022 order, and if not what is the main reason for the variation?
- The justification of the director general in ordering your council to introduce fluoride to the water supply focused on the level of deprivation in the community and the cost-benefit for the community in reducing tooth decay. Is this an accurate reflection of the situation in your community?
Any general comments you wish to make about the implementation of fluoride in your community.
Response
FromEric Cawte, Rotorua Lakes Council Manager – Infrastructure Networks Performance:
Rotorua Lakes Council is on track to meet the 2024 deadline.
Estimated costs for the two supplies Rotorua Lakes Council has been directed to fluoridate are an estimated $1.6m in capital costs with an annual operating cost of about $140,000 per year. Both are GST-exclusive and are estimates based on concept design. Costs cannot be confirmed until after detailed design and procurement.
The estimates are higher than those initially supplied to the Ministry, which were based on information available at that time. The new estimated costs have factored in material and labour cost escalations since then, identification of geotech and survey requirements, and increased allowance for health and safety systems and quality assurance monitoring.
Your question re deprivation etc should be referred to the relevant health authorities.
Council is required to follow the directive of the Ministry of Health to fluoridate the two Rotorua water supplies. Fluoridation is a policy matter that has been considered a number of times by Rotorua’s elected council members in the past with voting by successive Councils going against introducing fluoride to our water supplies. Fluoridation was most recently considered in 2014.
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Dog names
Enquiry
You may remember this one as I did it when I first started at the Daily Post three years ago.
I'm keen to do a repeat as it's a lovely summer story - plus I understand it's been a bit of a struggle getting people to register their dogs this year so from the council's perspective it's a good opportunity to remind people why it's important to register their dogs.
So could you please:
Provide me a list of dog's names registered to RLC in 2022?
Does the council place any restriction on the dog names registered with it?
Any related information you may think is interesting or relevant (such as info on dog registrations and why it's important) is also most welcome.
Response
Reporter was provided with list of dog names registered with Rotorua Lakes Council in 2022, we informed the reporter there is no restriction on dog names and we provided the following additional comment.
From Arana Waaka-Stockman, Kaea Whakahaere Kararehe – Team Lead Animal control:
Our Animal Control team provides a wide range of services that help to keep the Rotorua community safe, and dog registration fees help cover the cost of this. Having your details registered with the Council also helps if your dog ever goes missing or is found roaming.