Chlorination battle lines drawn

Members of anti-chlorination group Keep Busselton Water Pure attended a meeting of Busselton Water Board last week in an attempt to speak directly to board members.

Spokesperson Diana Michaels said seven people, including Busselton Shire councillor David Binks, observed the meeting but were not able to participate.

“We wanted to come in to listen to what they had on the agenda,” Ms Michaels said.

Cr Binks told the Times attendees were read a “hurriedly prepared” statement at the reception stating there would be no opportunity for input or questions, or to interact with board members following the meeting.

“This was an extremely surprising and disappointing attitude for the board to adopt, and certainly left one with a sense that they did not want to be put into a position of having to answer questions,” he said.

Board chairman David Reid admitted members of the public did not usually attend a board meeting.

“This was a board meeting, not a public meeting … and the protocol we have adopted … is if (observers) did have any questions, they would have to contact the office the next day … and those answers will be fielded,” Mr Reid said.

According to Ms Michaels, board members appeared “clearly uncomfortable” to have community members in attendance.

While Mr Reid said he was comfortable with public attendance, some board members may have been uncomfortable with having “such a big contingent” on short notice.

“I have no problems whatsoever with the public listening and sitting in,” he said.

“The more people come in, the quicker we can come to the situation where the public can see that the board is practising due diligence in supplying safe water.

“Dunsborough has been using chlorinated water for 30 years, and the quicker (people) become acquainted with the facts, the happier we will be.”

Ms Michaels said the group hoped to receive answers to a letter sent to the board in February this year at Monday’s meeting.

“We have previously sent a letter to Busselton Water last year in September with 29 questions, asking a whole range of questions,” she said.

Those questions related to the decision to chlorinate the water.

“The answer we received in November was inadequate and we resent a letter in February to get further answers.”

Mr Reid said Busselton Water officers were working through the questions and would reply soon.

Residents walked in on a Busselton Water board meeting to protest against planned chlorination of Busselton water.