Shine Lawyers considering Townsville floods class action

One of Australia’s largest litigation law firms is assessing whether it has grounds to launch a class action in Townsville following the catastrophic floods.

ONE of Australia’s largest litigation law firms is assessing whether it has grounds to launch a class action in Townsville following the catastrophic floods.

Shine Lawyers has been contacted by several Townsville residents in the wake of the devastation that’s displaced thousands of people.

The firm yesterday confirmed to The Courier-Mail it was assessing its legal prospects and would send staff north to investigate further.

More than $8 million has been paid in emergency hardship assistance to 46,000 people in the state’s north and north west following last week’s unprecedented weather event.

In Townsville, more than 3000 homes have been identified as being damaged.

Confusion over role of Ross River Dam

Ross River Dam operators ‘inadequately’ trained, engineer says

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says issues surround the Ross River Dam’s function will be investigated. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

The floods dominated debate in State Parliament this week with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday facing questions about the functions of the Ross River Dam.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington asked the Premier whether the dam was for flood mitigation.

However Ms Palaszczuk did not initially confirm or deny its function.

“In relation to all those contractual issues and issues in relation to complying with legislation, they will be absolutely, thoroughly investigated by the Inspector General of Emergency Management,” she said.

It came after The Courier-Mai l revealed the dam was not declared as flood mitigation infrastructure under the Water Supply Safety and Reliability Act 2008.

This is despite numerous websites, including the Bureau of Meteorology’s, citing the dam as having been built for flood mitigation and water storage during the 1970s.

Ms Palaszczuk said she believed the IGEM would do an “absolutely, 100 per cent job” in investigating the floods.

Thousands of people were displaced when large parts of Townsville were inundated. Picture: AAP Image/Andrew Rankin

Ms Frecklington then asked the Premier, as Chair of Queensland Disaster Management Committee, why she was unable to “clearly tell the house” the purpose of the Ross River Dam.

“The Ross River Dam is an asset owned by Townsville City Council,” the Premier said.

“I’m advised that they contract SunWater to operate that dam as a water storage dam.”

SunWater is a State Government owned corporation.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill also put insurers on notice yesterday, following reports small businesses weren’t being looked after.

“I’ve already heard too many stories about dodgy insurance practices — particularly relating to small business claims,” she said.

“Small business owners and residents buy insurance in good faith and then appear to be being ripped off by the fine print of the contract.”

The Ross River Dam is expected to reach 100 per cent today, down from 247.6 per cent at its peak last week.