The class action for people who had their property destroyed by the Carwoola bushfire in February this year will begin next week.
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The action will appear in the New South Wales Supreme Court on Thursday for a directions hearing.
Residents of Carwoola are being represented by Victorian firm Maddens Lawyers. Senior partner Brendan Pendergast could not give an exact number but said the action would include in excess of 30 plaintiffs.
Maddens are bringing the action against Advanced Plumbing and Drains Pty Ltd and said the claim bill could be more than $15 million.
The Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council announced this week that the next round of funding from the Carwoola Bushfire Appeal would soon be distributed among residents affected by the fire.
Following the fires the fund was set up and received donations that totalled almost $200,000. After this round of funding is released $117,000 will have been distributed in the community.
The appeal panel and Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council work on a case by case basis with those affected to decide how funds are allocated.
“As devastating as this bushfire was to the Carwoola community, the way the community has banded together financially and emotionally has been inspiring,” chairman of the appeal panel Max Shanahan said.
“The community spirit in Carwoola and right across the Queanbeyan-Palerang area and the wider region has helped those who lost their homes and were affected by the bushfire.”
The bushfire burnt out 3500 hectares of land, completely destroyed eight homes and damaged other properties.
Two men will appear in Queanbeyan Local Court next month charged with allegedly failing to comply with a total fire ban and causing or setting fire to the property of another person.