Developers of a golf course and residential development at Port Hughes have shown no further interest in building a desalination plant in the area says Paul Thomas, Mayor of the District Council of the Copper Coast.

After the idea was floated, residents complained of a lack of public consultation and circulated petitions and contacted local MPs.

Councillor Thomas says while the developers have shown no further interest since the initial proposal, he will not rule out desalination as a water-proofing option for the area.

“It’s certainly not on our agenda at the moment, but I don’t think we ought to put it out of our minds,” he said.

“I think it has got to be considered as an option as we have got to look at all other water options … we just can’t rely on the River Murray water.”