In the Kilmore East-Kinglake Black Saturday bushfire class action, the lead plaintiff, Carol Matthews, brought a claim for compensation on behalf of herself and more than 5,000 registered group members, for loss and damage suffered as a result of the bushfire.
The parties agreed to settle on 15 July 2014, after more than 200 court sitting days before Justice J Forrest.
The application for the Court's approval of the Kilmore East Kinglake Black Saturday bushfire class action settlement was heard before Justice R Osborn on 24 and 25 November 2014. On 23 December 2014, his Honour approved the settlement.
Since the terms of settlement were approved, the Court has supervised the settlement distribution process.
The Scheme Administrator, Mr Andrew Watson, has filed his final affidavit detailing the completion of the administration of the settlement distribution scheme. Mr John White, the Court-appointed Special Referee, has filed his fifth and final report on the costs of the administration process. Based on these reports, his Honour Justice John Dixon has made final orders in the administration – bringing the process to an end.