In the Murrindindi-Marysville Black Saturday bushfire class action, the lead plaintiff, Dr Katherine Rowe, brought a claim for compensation on behalf of herself and more than 2,000 registered group members, for loss and damage suffered as a result of the bushfire.
The parties to the proceeding settled prior to the commencement of the trial. The application for the Court's approval of the Murrindindi Black Saturday bushfire class action settlement was heard before Justice Emerton and her Honour approved the settlement on 27 May 2015.
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.