A $3 million The Sisters/Garvoc bushfire class action run by Warrnambool firm Maddens Lawyers against Powercor and a contractor has been settled.
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The fire swept through Garvoc after starting at The Sisters when a power pole snapped on March 17 last year, burning more than 4000 hectares and causing significant damage to homes and farms.
A class action against Powercor Australia and its pole inspection contractor, Electrix Pty Ltd, was due to begin in the Victorian Supreme Court next month, involving 40 affected residents, land owners and businesses claiming more than $3 million in damages.
However, Maddens Lawyers said on Friday a confidential settlement has been reached with the defendants.
The Standard understands Maddens Lawyers will claim legal costs of more than $2 million for running the case.
"It's part of the confidential settlement," a spokeswoman said.
Energy Safe Victoria charged Powercor on Thursday over the Terang/Cobden and The Sisters/Garvoc electricity asset failures and subsequent fires, following a complex investigation.
The Terang/Garvoc fire was sparked by clashing conductors caused by a leaning anchor power pole, and the nearby Garvoc fire ignited after a rotten power pole snapped.
A significant amount of property and livestock was lost, as the state government declared a state emergency.
"We're pleased to be able to achieve a positive result for local farmers and the Garvoc community who we know are continuing to feel the impacts of the 2018 St Patrick's Day fire to this day," Maddens Lawyers class action principal Kathryn Emeny said in a statement.
The settlement is subject to Supreme Court approval.
A Supreme Court class action trial in relation to the Terang/Cobden bushfire continues in Warrnambool after starting on Monday this week.
A no-cost insurance action was settled in relation to that fire by most of the victims last week.
A similar no-cost insurance action is continuing, scheduled for trial in the Supreme Court next month, again involving the majority of the victims of the The Sisters/Garvoc fire.
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