State to be flooded by action
FLOOD litigators IMF and Maurice Blackburn Lawyers are confident a class action law suit against the State will go ahead as they await the results of their research.
IMF and Maurice Blackburn Lawyers announced their intention to launch a possible class action law suit against the State prior to the release of the Bligh Government's flood report in March.
Investigations into the potential for a law suit have continued since then, with the findings expected to be known in eight weeks time.
The class action hinges on the findings of their research into the botched dam releases and if flooding could have been avoided in some areas had the dam releases been managed correctly.
IMF executive director John Walker, the financial backers of Maurice Blackburn's class action, is positive the research will indicate Ipswich flood victims will have their day in court.
Mr Walker said the firm had retained a dam operation expert to establish if the floodwater may have been stemmed with better prepared releases.
They expect the results of their investigations to be positive and crystallise their legal action.
"Then we will assess what would not have been flooded if the dam was operated properly. We are feeling more confident as time goes on that a claim against the state will be made," he said.
Around 600 Ipswich residents have signed on for the class action out of the 3000 from the greater Brisbane region.
He expects numbers to increase as the doubt around the law suit dissipates in the coming months.
Councillor Paul Tully said Goodna residents are still inquiring to him about how to register.
"People are asking about what they need to do or what the timing will be," he said.
Mr Walker said further town hall meetings will be held in late June to update complainants and the community on how the research is progressing. He said at least one of those meetings should be held in Ipswich.
It was originally expected the number of potential claimants joining the class action could reach 6000. Hundreds of flood-affected Ipswich residents attended the first round of meetings held in Ipswich, Goodna and the Lockyer Valley.
