The Queensland premier says his government will respect any compensation ruling a court might make for flood victims in Brisbane and Ipswich.
Litigation funder IMF Australia and law firm Maurice Blackburn are planning to launch one of the nation's largest-ever class actions relating to the 2011 floods.
They allege Wivenhoe dam was not operated competently and as a direct result downstream properties suffered unnecessary flooding.
On Monday, the firms released maps identifying the parts of Brisbane and Ipswich they claimed would have been spared flooding if the dam had been properly operated.
A final decision on the future of the case is expected in April.
Premier Campbell Newman says he has great sympathy for people who lost everything in the floods and the issue of compensation is an issue for the courts.
"The courts will make a determination and the government I lead will respect whatever decision that the courts make," he told reporters on Tuesday.
Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said the council wouldn't join because it has been reimbursed by the state and federal governments for its infrastructure repairs.
But he encouraged locals to sign up.
"This has opened up a lot of wounds for people," he said.
Ipswich Councillor Paul Tully said of the 600 homes and businesses that flooded in the Ipswich suburb of Goodna, only 19 would have had water above the floorboards under the modelling released by IMF Australia and Maurice Blackburn.
www.BrisbaneTimes.com.au
22.1.13
