In a landmark class action settlement ten years on from the Wivenhoe Dam flood disaster, almost 7,000 victims have been awarded a partial settlement of $440 million.
Following a judgement by the NSW Supreme Court, the operators and engineers of Wivenhoe Dam were found responsible for actions that exacerbated the 2011 floods in Brisbane.
It was found by experts that water levels in Brisbane’s riverine area rose as high as 10m as a result of water releases from the dam.
The State of Queensland and Sunwater will pay the settlement, which is being specified as “partial” because another entity in Seqwater has been deemed 50 per cent liable by the NSW Supreme Court.
