THE man widely regarded as a voice of reason, Mike Taylor, delivered a stern ultimatum when he resigned as chairman of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) yesterday.Mr Taylor announced he had written to the Minister for Water, Tony Burke, saying it is the appropriate time to vacate the role in January."Discussions, planning and addressing the full gamut of environmental, economic and social issues should commence immediately," he said."This process should not be delayed by the authority's report on the sustainable diversion limits on water for human uses required by the final Basin Plan, due at the end of 2011."His resignation is "an interesting development", and the message he left is one that Murrumbidgee Irrigation chairman Gillian Kirkup hopes will be heard by the MDBA."As a company it is disappointing to see Michael resign. Michael was probably the voice of reason in the process, but what he's done in the process of his resignation is highlight the severe problems," she said."As chairman of the authority he has always tried to balance the need of what he has been directed to him by his position and the law and what's required."To see such a good man resign, we hope his principles are not taken as nothing."Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young expressed her concern that Mr Taylor's resignation will see the river system ignored if the government listens to the widespread public outcry over the plan."The point is that there are going to be no jobs and no viable communities if we have a dead river ... There needs to be a commitment from government that there will be more than just the bare minimum ... because otherwise what is the point?" she said.Member for Murrumbidgee, Adrian Piccoli, thanked Mr Taylor for his work in "an appalling job in terrible economic and climatic times", while the National Irrigators' Council said he was respected by irrigators for his frank advice and concern for communities. Mr Taylor's resignation is "just another sign that everything the government touches turns to dirt and we don't want farming communities left high and dry by the Murray-Darling Basin Plan," member for Wagga Michael McCormack said.