2018 Terang/Cobden Fire
The Terang/Cobden bushfire commenced on St Patrick’s Day, 17 March 2018. The fire destroyed in excess of 20 residential properties and caused extensive damage to many farming properties. The amount of livestock loss has been particularly devastating to the community.
Maddens Lawyers has commenced class action proceedings in the Victorian Supreme Court against Powercor Australia Ltd. It is alleged that the Terang/Cobden fire ignited near the Terang Power Substation as a result of clashing conductors which caused the expulsion of sparks into nearby vegetation. It is alleged that the fire could have been avoided by the appropriate management of electrical assets.
The class action is brought on behalf of persons who have suffered:
- loss of or damage to property
- personal injury (whether physical or psychiatric injury)
- economic loss.
The class action includes claims for loss and damage arising as a result of the peat fires at Lake Cobrico and Lake Elingamite.
An in principle settlement was reached between the parties in the second week of the trial which commenced in Warrnambool on 21 October 2019.