Disappointing to read that some contributors are already dancing on the graves of communities such as Griffith & Leeton. Not spoken about yet is the fact that should these cuts become reality, families buying homes in these communities will have the majority of their equity wiped out and those who own their homes will see a significant drop in their nett worth. Put this on top of the loss of equity for farmers and business owners in these communities and the real cost is yet to be revealed.

Given this scenario, I doubt if the Gillard/Brown Government will be in any position to get the budget back into surplus by 2013. But then again when they understand the real cost they may be quiet happy to see the proposal as over ambitious.

Funny how the frogs survived all those droughts before irrigation came along. That little fact sort of destroys your whole argument.

Irrigation is not being banned only reduced. There will still be water in the vast majority of irrigation areas. Any frogs dependent on irrigation will survive fine with a small reduction. Just like they do during droughts. Another gaping hole in your argument.

A joke of an article, riddled with inconsistencies and totally lacking in logic.
With not a single mention of the biggest killer of frogs (and most other small animals) in rural areas......pesticides and other farm chemicals and waste products.
Oh and dont forget salinity. Overwhelmingly caused by irrigation and land clearing. But again not a word from our author.

How could you possibly hope to be taken seriously. The worst misleading, gutter journalism I have seen this year. Well done on plumbing new depths of dishonesty and falsehood in the journalistic profession.

I look forward to the authors future articles about REAL endangered species. But I wont hold my breath!

Many of the species of frog now dependent on these ‘artificial wetlands’ are native and otherwise rare, as many species of Australian frog have been severely impacted by an exotic fungal disease, which has been particularly virulent in some of its most pristine natural habitats.
You can read more about the chytrid fungus here: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/tap/chytrid.html

Damn the frogs. Full speed ahead!! ;)

It's man's inhumanity to frog.

The Age poll shows the way.

Poll: Does the Murray-Darling Basin water plan strike the right balance between industry and the environment?
Poll form

1. Please select an answer. Yes, without a healthy river system there would be no industry
2. No, entire country towns could be wiped out
3. View results

Yes, without a healthy river system there would be no industry

74%
No, entire country towns could be wiped out

26%

Total votes: 955.