The great fluoride debate came to a head in 1979 when the Shoalhaven had a referendum to debate the issue.
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The second topic on the agenda was where the shire needed an auditorium.
With council considering stopping adding fluoride to the water system, they were soon threatened with legal action by a local dentist.
The threatened action concerned the decision of council to conduct a poll of the residents by having them express a view in regard to the question, 'do you agree with fluoridation of water supplies in the Shire of Shoalhaven?'
Council went ahead with the poll in conjunction with a similar poll concerning the projected erection of a Civic Auditorium.
On the question of the auditorium, council issued a lengthy document to be handed to electors at the polling booths on June 30, 1979. It read in part;
"Today you have the responsibility of deciding whether or not there is a need for a Civic Auditorium for the Shire of Shoalhaven. Council has provided you with the opportunity of becoming involved in the consideration of a major civic issue."
The construction of the auditorium was estimated to cost between $1.5m and $2.5m.
The anti-auditorium group noted council didn't seek a referendum of the people before it made its decision to build the $5m Civic Administration Building.
The final result was for the auditorium was: In favour, 4,264 and against, 6,097. Total formal votes was 10,361.
The fluoridation poll taken at the same time was: In favour, 5,995 and against, 4394. Total formal votes was 10,389.
It was estimated by the Shire Clerk that the polls cost $8000.
"Lack of time prevented the case for or against being properly aired. It was clearly overshadowed by the emotive fluoride issue and never should have been allowed to have been put to the people in such a manner.
Following the referendum, the following opinion piece was published in the Shoalhaven and Nowra News.
"Last Saturday's referendum in the Shoalhaven Shire will be subject to controversy and debate for many a long day.
"Firstly, the fluoride issue was carried by the pro-lobby group and it now seems certain that the chemical will be restored to the Nowra water supply.
"This is clearly the wish the wish of the people of Nowra and district and if democracy is to survive then the voice of the public must be heeded.
"However, if logic and consistency is to come into the argument then the vote of the people of Milton and Ulladulla, must be considered.
"Residents of that area, clearly by their anti-vote, do not want their new water supply fluoridated and they are entitled to have their overwhelming vote acknowledged.
"This then means fluoride should go in the Nowra supply and not in Ulladulla. Any other course would surely be contrary to fair play.
"The second issue on Saturday was a vote of whether the shire needed an auditorium.
"The introduction of this matter was so hasty and ill-considered that it received scant attention by the council and only tended to further confuse an already confused and bewildered fluoride voter.
"Lack of time prevented the case for or against being properly aired. It was clearly overshadowed by the emotive fluoride issue and never should have been allowed to have been put to the people in such a manner.
"Voters on Saturday were given a paper stating a yes or no case for the auditorium only second before they were to cast their important vote.
"A terrible mistake has been made and it is a mistake that can only be rectified by our shire councillors doing their homework in identifying the need for a civic auditorium and convincingly putting forward a sound scheme to finance it."
All information provided by Shoalhaven Historical Society.
