Maddens Lawyers has launched a class action on behalf of local landowners affected by the Scotsburn Fire.
On 19 December 2015, 4000 hectares of land and 12 houses were burnt in the area of Scotsburn, south of Ballarat in central west Victoria.
The plaintiff alleges that the fire commenced as a result of the first defendant’s operation of a tractor and slasher on a day of total fire ban. The tractor in question is a 2011 Agrison Gen III 50 horsepower model which was powering a 6 foot slasher. The tractor operator (Mr Skimming) and the importer of the Agrison branded tractor, EL Mining Solutions Ptd Ltd, are parties to the proceeding together with the insurer for the first defendant (Auto & General Insurance Company Ltd) and the owner of the property upon which the fire commenced (Ms Johns).
An in principle settlement has been reached between the parties.
Resources
Second Defendant’s Defence to Amended Statement of Claim dated 19 July 2017
Third Amended Writ and Third Amended Statement of Claim dated 16 May 2018
Defence of Third Defendant to Third Amended Statement of Claim dated 24 July 2018
Amended Reply and Defence to Defence and Counterclaim of the Third Defendant dated 26 November 2018
Fourth Defendant’s Amended Third Party Notice dated 5 June 2019
Fourth Defendant’s Amended Defence and Counterclaim dated 5 June 2019
