Milan Berber charged with Liverpool Council arson, negotiating plea

The Liverpool Council Chambers caught fire in 2010 and the inferno which engulfed the building resulted in more than $20 million in damage. Read what happened in court.

A man allegedly involved in the fiery destruction of Liverpool Council Chambers 12 years ago, which led to a damage bill totalling $20 million, remains before the courts as negotiations take place.

Former Cabramatta High School student Milan Berber, 31, was charged in 2020 with destroying property in company using fire and aggravated break and enter after being allegedly identified by an informant.

The Liverpool man would have been 19 at the time of his alleged involvement with the fire.

The Liverpool Council Chambers caught fire on August 15, 2010 and the inferno which engulfed the building resulted in more than $20 million in damage and the destruction of the historical mayoral robes and chains.

On the night of the fire, an intruder alarm was tripped before the council chambers were engulfed in flames. Eighty firefighters were needed to bring the fire under control.

Milan Berber has been charged over the historic arson attack at Liverpool Council Chambers.

Damage to the Liverpool Council Chambers is shown in an aerial picture taken from a chopper.

Meanwhile 650 staff had to be relocated as Liverpool Council was left without a home for many years.

At Campbelltown Local Court on Wednesday, a representative for the Director of Public Prosecutions and Mr Berber’s lawyer said progress in the case had been made.

“The Crown has now finalised an offer with some facts … the agreed position is for the matter to be adjourned to allow these negotiations to continue,” the lawyer said.

Mr Berber’s case returns to Campbelltown Local Court on October 5. No pleas have been entered in the matter, and he remains on bail.

In 2020, a court heard a man under the promise of indemnity from police has “identified” who he claims “struck the match” to start the devastating 2010 fire.