Individuals, farms and businesses who have suffered financial loss because of the restrictions on Scabbing Flat Bridge will shortly be invited to register their interest in a potential class action against Transport for NSW.

Registering interest is free, does not commit you to anything, and will help us understand the scale of the losses suffered across the region.

Background

Scabbing Flat Bridge on Arthurville Road, near Geurie, is one of the timber truss bridges that Transport for NSW is required to retain under the Timber Truss Bridge Conservation Strategy. That status has been the reason given for repairing, rather than replacing the bridge.

The Association has concerns about how Scabbing Flat Bridge came to be included for retention under the Strategy. The Association understands that when Transport for NSW removed heritage layers on a nearby bridge that is when the Geurie bridge mysteriously inherited a new heritage status. Specialist class action legal advice will allege process that occurred without proper process, notice or consultation with the affected community.

Since then, the bridge has been subject to load limits, width restrictions, closures and detours.

It is widely known these restrictions have caused significant financial loss to farmers, freight operators, businesses and residents across the area of around 450,000 hectares that Transport for NSW has advised relies on the bridge.

Who may be eligible

You may wish to register if you, your farm or your business has incurred costs or lost income because of the restrictions on Scabbing Flat Bridge. For example:

• additional freight, fuel, labour or vehicle costs from detours

• reduced loads or extra trips because of load or width limits

• lost sales, contracts or delivery opportunities, including at grain receival sites

• costs of hiring smaller vehicles or contractors

• delays in moving livestock, machinery, fodder or produce

• other business or personal losses connected with the bridge restrictions.

What happens next

Collection of expressions of interest will shortly commence, so the potential claim can be assessed.

All information collected will be provided to an independent law firm experienced in class actions, which will advise on the claim, who may be eligible, and on what terms. Consent will always be obtained before private information is passed to the Sydney based class action specialist lawyers.

If the class action proceeds, you will be contacted with further information by the lawyers directly, and you will be able to decide at that time whether to take part. Any engagement of lawyers, and any arrangements about legal costs or litigation funding, would be agreed directly between you and the lawyers.

Important information

This is not legal advice. The Association is a community organisation. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal services. Registering your interest does not create a lawyer–client relationship with anyone.

No commitment and no guarantee. Registering does not make you a party to any proceedings and does not oblige you to take part. There is no guarantee that a class action will be commenced or that any claim will succeed.

Time limits apply. Legal claims are subject to strict time limits. If you believe you have suffered loss, you should seek independent legal advice about your own circumstances promptly, rather than relying on this process.

Please do not send documents yet. Information you give the Association is not protected by legal professional privilege. Please provide only the summary information requested in the form. If a claim proceeds, the lawyers will tell you what documents they need and how to provide them.

No cost to register. There is no fee to register your interest.

Privacy collection notice

The Association will collect personal information in the form (when published) to assess interest in a potential class action, to contact you about it, and, with your consent, to share it with the law firm assessing the claim.

The Association will not use your information for any other purpose, sell it, or disclose it to anyone else without your consent unless required by law.

Aggregated, de-identified information (for example, total estimated losses across the region) may be used in the Association's advocacy and public statements. You can ask to see, correct or withdraw your information at any time.

Information the registration form will collect:

• Your full name *

• Business, farm or entity name (if applicable)

• ABN (optional)

• Email address *

• Mobile number *

• Postal address or locality *

• I am registering as: (select one) Individual / Farm business / Freight or transport operator / Other business / Other

• How have the bridge restrictions affected you? (select all that apply) Detour costs / Reduced loads or extra trips / Lost sales or contracts / Vehicle or contractor hire / Delays moving livestock, machinery or produce / Other

• Approximately when did your losses begin? (month and year)

• Estimated total financial loss to date: (select one) Under $10,000 / $10,000 to $50,000 / $50,000 to $250,000 / Over $250,000 / Unsure

• Do you have records of these losses (for example, invoices, logbooks, fuel or freight records)? Yes / Some / No

• Briefly describe how you have been affected (maximum 500 words; summary only, please do not attach documents)

  We expect the form to open shortly.