Letters continued from page 9
federal election; further proof that she shouldn’t run under the label of ‘True Independents’ when her team are so overtly on the conservative side of the political spectrum. It’s always in the community’s interests to know who funded their elected representatives and what their motives are – even if it remains an uncomfortable subject for some. It’s a shame that Cr Woods doesn’t seem to agree. Graeme Williams Mullumbimby
Fluoridation
Despite his quest for facts, most of Rob Watson’s disparaging comments last week about my earlier letters to The Echo on fluoridation are hardly factual: 1. He says that the fluoride used in water fluoridation is produced by fractional distillation produced to high quality. Fact: Much of the hydrofluorosilicic acid used to fluoridate water in Australia has come directly from Geelong’s Incitec Pivot superphosphate fertiliser plant where wet-scrubbers capture toxic fluoride waste products that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. The resulting water slurry is sent directly to water treatment plants. The other major sources of fluoride that are added to Australian water are sodium fluoride and sodium silicofluoride sourced from Chinese industry’s waste. 2. He fails to recognise NSW Health’s inaccurate assumption that the results of controlled studies for topical fluorides such as toothpaste, varnish, and sealants are applicable to water fluoridation. Fact: This comparison of to-
West Byron plans are unsustainable The proposed West Byron lands development potential has been reviewed no fewer than three times in major studies. Each time it was considered through evidence and consultation as not suitable for intensive development. In fact much of it was proposed for rural zoning due to the constraints. Some may not remember the development that took place under the council of the early nineties that approved development without the necessary essential infrastructure. This resulted in the pollution of Belongil, Tallow and Brunswick waterways and led to the sewerage moratorium, which meant no more development was able to be approved until new sewerage plants were
built. The new plants were designed with the guidance of extensive studies that considered the future growth of the shire. As a member of the West Byron STP committee I can confirm that the potential of those lands was allocated in accordance with the assessments that determined only low-key and rural development for the West Byron lands. This means the STP does not have the physical capacity for this proposed development. The outcome of this could be pollution of Belongil and bay again, or a costly upgrade. The award-winning Biodiversity Conservation Strategy identified a regional wildlife corridor, high conservation value vegetation, and core
habitat for koalas and other vulnerable species on those lands. The Belongil catchment was determined as an acid sulfate hotspot in 1996 by the state government. Flood and climate change studies determined the risks on that land. Traffic studies identified the constraints that exist on Ewingsdale Road and also that a bypass will not resolve the traffic congestion. Council rejected a previous rezoning request due to the planning risks and a commitment to protect and preserve the biodiversity, character and amenity of the area including the attraction for tourism. The proponents did not accept your council’s considered investigation and assessment and instead went
tally different mechanisms is scientifically unsound. 3. He then erroneously states that I cited the Harvard meta analysis as hard evidence for my case. Facts: Since almost no solid research has been done in the US or Australia, the Harvard researchers had to use what was available (mostly from China), in hopes of spurring additional research. Their data was sound enough to be published in a US peer-reviewed journal by the federal government, and although far from perfect, it sounds warning bells. 4. He states that people have been drinking fluoridated water for 60 years with no visible harms, hence it’s safe. Fact: The requisite research on safety has never been done. 5. He ignores the fundamental fact that the burden of
proof regarding the effectiveness and safety of any intervention falls on those proposing the intervention, not those opposed to the intervention. This has never been done and much data now calls the assumptions that were made with little science, over 70 years ago, into question. John W Travis Byron Bay
I offer instead, a homily that saves on ink: get on your bike. Dave Lisle Mullumbimby
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Over the years much ink has been spilled by this paper on the subject of Byron’s traffic chaos and the attendant necessity of a bypass. Indeed, in these pages last week Paul Brecht was suggesting that residents start saving for ultralights while Chris Abraham advocated a labyrinthine confusion of one way streets to address the problem.
BONUS SUMMER PACK
Surely the solution to Byron’s traffic problems should include much greater bike use. Byron Bay is flat as a pancake and it is only a 20-minute ride into town for people from Suffolk and Sunrise. In cities like Groningen in the Netherlands, similarly flat but bigger and with snow, almost 60 per cent of trips are made by bicycle. I think Council should be looking at what safe cycling corridors and facilities it needs to provide for people here to see cycling as a much better option than getting in the car Garth Luke Mullumbimby
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make a submission and write to your local MP Don Page and the planning minister. Don’t ignore the opportunity to be heard on this important issue – it could change Byron forever and there is no going back once it’s approved. Jan Barham Broken Head
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to the state government to seek approval. This represents a denial of the evidence and the will of the community but, if approved, the impacts will be borne by all. This current proposal is inappropriate and unsustainable. I encourage residents to
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netdaily.net.au The Byron Shire Echo February 11, 2014 11