Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan has organised a public meeting at the Terang Civic Hall between 11am and 1pm on Thursday, October 25.

Independent legal advice will be available for victims of the St Patrick's Day fires from David Whiting, principal of Whiting Lawyers who is a regular on ABC talkback radio.

Mr Riordan said Mr Whiting had been selected by a group of victims as someone who had a good grasp of the issues and could provide an informed independant voice.

The MP said Warrnambool’s Maddens Lawyers, Powercor and insurance companies all had vested interests and had all provided information to Mr Whiting.

"There are different options for victims," Mr Riordan said.

"What I have found is that most people have a very poor appetite for the legal fight. The meeting will be open to the public and anyone affected by fire.

“Hopefully it's a sensible and informative information session."

Mr Riordan said there was no magic bullet to make the current compensation system less painful or traumatic.

He said after next month's state election he hoped to push for a better system to be put in place.

"This is not a one-off situation, it's an annual problem particularly in western Victoria," he said.

"Resources and money could be spent far more productively and not through something like this whole saga," he said.