As published in the Inner-West Weekly. By Fiona Brady,27 Feb 08
PLASTIC water bottles have been banned from the workplace at Ashfield Council.
And while the council is continuing to prove its green credentials by voting to end its use of bottled water, one councillor claims it is merely a stunt.
The move comes on the eve of Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday. Clean Up founder Ian Kiernan has proclaimed plastic bottles are among the most common rubbish items recovered.
Last week Ashfield councillors voted to ban bottled water, except at community events where tap water is limited.
The ban extends to outdoor council workers who are provided with water fountains. Water fountains are also in council buildings.
Greens councillor Mary Hawkins, who put forward the motion, said bottled water was unnecessary given the high quality of tap water.
“Bottled water is disastrous on every count,” she said.
“It’s not fluoridated. It is hugely expensive compared to tap water.
“About 200ml of oil is needed to produce each litre bottle of water.
“There’s also all the transportation involved and the subsequent CO2 emissions. Plus, you need to find landfill space for the empty plastic bottles.”
Only Liberal councillor Nick Adams voted against the motion.
He told the Inner-West Weekly he thought the move was unnecessary and part of an “alarmist” campaign to frighten the community about the environment.
“I don’t think our council stopping its use of bottled water will make any substantial impact in assisting the environment,” he said. “It is a token symbolic gesture what we have come to expect from the Greens and the general Left.”
Mr Adams said it would be better to investigate options to recycle plastic bottles.
Mayor Ted Cassidy said the media had originally rubbished the idea the public would ever pay for water, but it had now become “acceptable and popular”.
“The water quality from our tap is equally as good as anything you buy,” he said.