A class action has been lodged in the Supreme Court for victims of February’s devastating Mickleham-Kilmore fires.
On behalf of about 300 property owners, Maddens Lawyers issued claims last week against AusNet Electricity Services (formerly known as SP AusNet) that could involve
$50 million in property losses and damage.
Maddens’ class action principal Brendan Pendergast said the Mickleham fire started when a clearly visible tree in the road reserve along Mickleham Road near Donnybrook Road at Craigieburn fell on high-voltage electrical conductors.
This sparked a fire that burnt out about 22,900 hectares of agricultural and bush land, destroying more than 20 homes and more than 2000 kilometres of fencing, and killing hundreds of cattle, more than 14,000 sheep and unknown numbers of native fauna.
“Electricity supply and distribution was privatised in 1994,” Mr Pendergast said.
“We pay top dollar for access to electricity and, in return, these companies must adequately maintain power infrastructure to ensure public safety.”
He said the focus of the Supreme Court writs was on residents of Mickleham, Donnybrook, Darraweit Guim, Chintin and Kilmore regions, to ensure they were duly compensated for losses which, he said, could have been prevented.
“Quite simply, the residents of this area have suffered losses that are not their fault.
“They are losses that would not have occurred had AusNet Electricity Services Pty Ltd followed their own bushfire mitigation procedures.
“There’s no reason these residents should just accept that this fire occurred and accept the damage it did while incurring the substantial expense associated with re-establishing their properties.”
Maddens already has more than 150 registered claimants for the Mickleham- Kilmore fires.
Mr Pendergast is urging other residents and business owners, wildlife organisations and conservation groups affected by the fires to contact the company toll-free on 1800 139 290 or register online at maddenslawyers.com.au.
