The Beechworth fire started when a tree fell onto a live high voltage conductor adjacent to Buckland Gap Road near the intersection with Library Road, causing the conductor to become dislodged from its insulator and cross arm and arc against a steel reinforced concrete pole. Sparks ejected as a result of the arc and ignited dry vegetation. The tree was a “hazardous tree” as defined by the power company SP Ausnet, and required immediate removal. The tree was never inspected by an Arborist or by a qualified line inspector and was not removed.
We are now pleased to confirm on 16 May 2012 The Honourable Justice Emmerton approved settlement of the Beechworth Bushfire Supreme Court class action proceeding commenced by Maddens Lawyers in April 2010.
Her Honour has ordered the Notice of Settlement be uploaded to our website. To view please click on the following link:
NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT
The Settlement Agreement is binding on every group member, and the claims assessment procedure is the only way for group members to recover compensation for loss and damage caused by the Beechworth Bushfire.
WHAT GROUP MEMBERS MUST NOW DO:
Complete the Group Member Registration Form attached to the Notice of Settlement and return to Maddens Lawyers by 30 June 2012.
To view copies of the pleadings (including the Plaintiff's Further Amended Statement of Claim and the Defendants' Defences and Cross Claims) in the matter Paul Anthony Mercieca and Amelia Jane Coombes v SPI Electricity Pty Ltd (ACN 064 651 118) please click on the following link: PLEADINGS
To view the SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT and NOTICE OF PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF BEECHWORTH BUSHFIRE CLASS ACTION in the matter Paul Anthony Mercieca and Amelia Jane Coombes v SPI Electricity Pty Ltd (ACN 064 651 118) please click on each.