Dozens of residents impacted by a blaze which started at the Walla tip will soon be compensated for their losses, more than a decade after the incident.
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A class action of 64 people, led by Gerogery woman Sharon Weber, will share in about $12 million in compensation recently ordered in the NSW Supreme Court.
Greater Hume Shire council and its insurer were engaged in a lengthy legal battle, but have been ordered to pay $16 million, of which $12 million will go to the residents.
The money will be divided up based on the losses they incurred.
Maddens Lawyers senior class action lawyer Brendan Pendergast said they would receive close to, or above, the total value of their losses.
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"An injection in excess of $12 million into the community is going to provide significant relief," he said.
"These people have been waiting for compensation for over 10 years, which has been an extraordinarily difficult litigious path for everyone.
"I suppose we're pleased to have reached the end of the road.
"It's been a long and difficult path."
It's been a long and difficult path
- Class action lawyer Brendan Pendergast
Ms Weber argued that the council failed to take precautions at the tip, which caused the ignition and uncontrollable spread of the fire on December 17, 2009.
The blaze burnt about 11 kilometres towards Gerogery and destroyed homes, sheds and livestock.
About 5200 hectares was burnt.
A class action was launched six years after the incident and has involved a string of court decisions and appeals.
Mr Pendergast said significant legal costs had been accrued.
"Despite that fact, all the members of the class action will be receiving very close to, if not in excess, of 100 per cent of their provable losses," he said.
