1 June 2018 For immediate release
An investigation report recently released by Energy Safe Victoria in relation to the cause of the 17 March Terang bushfire will strengthen the claims for compensation being advanced by over 100 people impacted by the fire.
Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) investigated the cause and circumstances of the Terang fire and concluded that the fire was likely to have been ignited as a result of clashing and arcing between conductors at a power pole near the Terang Power Substation. ESV also concluded that the clearance space between high voltage conductors failed to meet Australian Standards as well as Powercor’s own internal standards.
Ms Kathryn Emeny, Maddens Lawyers’ Class Action Principal, said that the findings demonstrated the startling inadequacy of Powercor’s asset management systems. "Not only did the conductor clearances fall short of the relevant standards at the time of the fire, ESV’s review also found that the repairs completed by Powercor post fire failed to meet the relevant standards" she said.
Ms Emeny said that "it is important that the communities impacted by the St Patricks Day bushfires stand united in their calls for compensation and improvements to the safety of electrical assets within the South West region. It is our experience that in these situations, there is real strength in numbers."
Over 100 people have registered with Maddens to participate in a Supreme Court class action against Powercor Australia Ltd as a result of the Terang bushfire. The firm has also commenced class action proceedings in respect of the Garvoc and Camperdown/Gnotuk bushfires which occurred on the same day.
Ms Emeny said that "we understand that people impacted by the fires want efficient compensation. It is also important to achieve adequate compensation and to ensure that claims are advanced for the full extent of the loss and damage that has been incurred." She said that many people weren’t aware of all of the different types of loss they could legally claim for including, for instance, their own time for repair and clean up works.
A community meeting hosted by Maddens Lawyers will be convened on 15 June 2018 to provide bushfire victims with an update on the progress of the class action.
Release ends
Kathryn Emeny, Principal, Maddens Lawyers: 0439 385 349
Sarah Sheehan, Communications Manager, Maddens Lawyers: 0401 904 570 ---
