Survivors of Victoria bushfires receive massive payout

Survivors of Victorian bushfires receive Australia’s largest settlement

Survivors of Victoria's 2009 Black Saturday bushfires have secured almost half a billion dollars in the largest class action settlement in the country's history.

The burnt out remains of several houses in the Kinglake region on February 12, 2009.

Maurice Blackburn lawyers confirmed this morning that the settlement was worth $494.7 million, but said it could take 12-18 months for the payments to be distributed.

About 10,000 people were involved in the action against power distributor SP AusNet and asset managers Utility Services Group.

The case follows the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission which found that an ageing SP AusNet power line started the Kilmore East-Kinglake bushfire on February 7.

The fire killed 119 people and destroyed 1200 homes in the area.

Plaintiff Carol Matthews, who lost her son in the fire, said at a press conference today that there was “an element of relief and sense of comfort”.