When the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) released its discussion paper about revised water allocations in the Basin late last year, copies were publicly burnt in communities throughout the area. This was because the plan recommended substantial reductions in allocations for irrigation - 4,000 gigalitres a year all up, a reduction of up to one third of allocations in some areas. The Commonwealth Government quickly withdrew the plan and changed the terms of reference to put more weight on economic concerns. The chair of the MDBA resigned in disgust and was replaced by former NSW Labor Minister Craig Knowles. Now we read that the Wentworth Group , a group of environmental scientists attempting to shape water policy round the country, has withdrawn from discussions about the new plan. They say proposed reductions being discussed are less than 3,000 gigalitres and this would be an expensive and useless exercise. They want an independent review of the science behind the plan.
'Contemplating the teeming life of the shore, we have an uneasy sense of the communication of some universal truth that lies just beyond our grasp.' - Rachel Carson