The Challenge
In 2018, an accidentally lit bushfire spread across several rural properties, prompting compensation claims from neighbouring landholders. Plaintiffs sought damages for lost timber revenue and costs associated with removing hazardous fire-damaged trees. The defendant’s insurer required expert technical evidence to assess the legitimacy and extent of these claims under the Private Native Forestry (PNF) Code.
Our Solution
We conducted site inspections and a full inventory for one of the properties, totalling more than 5,000 hectares across both matters. Our analysis combined ground-based observations with remote sensing and photogrammetry to assess fire intensity and its ecological effects. We considered the regulatory constraints of the PNF Code and applied geospatial analysis to distinguish fire damage from natural decline.
The Result
Our reports, delivered over two six-month investigations, concluded that the plaintiffs had significantly overstated losses. In both cases, drought—rather than bushfire—was identified as the primary cause of tree mortality. The expert evidence provided a clear, scientifically credible basis for defence, helping limit liability and resolve the disputes with confidence.
