5.4.1  Preventive Health

5.4.1.1  Local Government has a responsibility in the provision and facilitation of preventive health services to protect the community from known health threats and identify and respond to new threats.  This is normally achieved by:

• the enforcement of appropriate State legislation and local laws; and
• the provision of services designed to reduce the risk of disease.

5.4.2  Dog Control

5.4.2.1  The aim of the State Government regulatory framework for restricted dogs and Council local laws should be to ensure that people who keep dogs do so in a responsible manner and that all persons are adequately protected from wandering dogs.

5.4.2.2  Penalties for non-compliance with local laws for dog control should be set at high levels to act as an effective deterrent.

5.4.2.3  The State Government should ensure that appropriate guidelines are in place to allow improved control of wild dogs by Local Governments.

5.4.3  Mosquito Management

5.4.3.1  The State Government should acknowledge its responsibility and provide funding for mosquito management on Crown Land in partnership with Local Government.

5.4.3.2  Local Government supports the introduction and implementation of a joint funding commitment with the State Government for mosquito management across the State.

5.4.4  Immunisation

5.4.4.1  The State Government should work collaboratively with Local Government as part of a State immunisation strategy.

5.4.4.2  Local Government strongly supports the State Government immunisation funding program to achieve a high level of immunisation across the State.

5.4.5  Coordination and Cooperation

5.4.5.1  The State Government should be encouraged to work in consultation and cooperation with Local Government to avoid duplication of inspectorial and other activities in the provision of environmental health services.

5.4.5.2  Where Local Governments enforce State Health legislation, provision should be made for the reimbursement of costs incurred by Local Government by way of direct reimbursement from the State or other equitable cost recovery mechanisms. 

5.4.5.3  Local Government should have a supporting role to the State Government for community health education and promotion.

5.4.5.4  Funding for the provision and maintenance of community health services, should be supported by way of specific purpose grants to Local Government.

5.4.6  Asbestos in Non Workplace Settings

5.4.6.1  Local Government recognises that asbestos in non-workplace settings represents a significant public health risk to Queenslanders.

5.4.6.2  To ensure the risks posed by asbestos in non-workplace settings are adequately managed, Local Government supports the introduction of a proactive regulatory regime and public awareness campaign that ensures that all Queenslanders that may be exposed in this setting are made aware of the likely risks and the necessary actions required to protect themselves, other occupants and tradespeople.

5.4.6.3  A proactive regulatory regime introduced by the State Government should, as a minimum, include the following requirements:

5.4.6.4  Due to the extent and nature of the potential health risks, Local Government affirms that the State Government should be the sole tier of government responsible for the ongoing monitoring and regulation of asbestos in non-workplace settings. 

5.4.7  Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies

5.4.7.1  Local Government believes it is a principle of ethical public health policy that mass, involuntary medication must never proceed without the express consent of the community.

5.4.7.2  Express consent of the community to fluoridate public water supplies should be sought either by the State Government or Local Government, if they choose to do so. 

5.4.7.3  As oral health is a State Government responsibility and the State will receive a direct financial benefit from the fluoridation of public water supplies, the State Government should fully fund Local Government for the capital and recurrent costs of its introduction.