Methane carols blow

By Bridget Brady
BROOKLAND Greens residents have received another blow as a church’s attempt to hold Christmas carols in their estate has failed.
Pastor James Seamons from Freedom Christian Church in Cranbourne said he could not gain a permit to hold the carols in the estate.
Members of the church had planned to host free Christmas carols on 20 December to lift the morale of residents, Pastor Seamons said.
They planned to provide a sausage sizzle, free giveaways and other “Christmas cheer” for members of the Brookland Greens community.
The news comes one week after Slater and Gordon launched a class action in the Supreme Court on behalf of the residents after the methane gas scandal.
City of Casey council has received a writ from Slater and Gordon and intends to vigorously defend any claim made against it.
Slater and Gordon lawyer Brad Hardwick told the News on Tuesday that more residents had joined the class action since it was launched.
More than 450 joined the class action when it was launched, and that number had increased to about 480, Mr Hardwick said.
“The claim is based on the significant drop on value of some 816 properties which, in early September, were collectively worth more than $320 million.”
He said some Casey ratepayers were worried about the financial burden the City of Casey could obtain, but reminded residents Casey has publicity stated it was insured.
Mr Hardwick said Slater and Gordon was only pursuing legal action against the City of Casey.
He said the matter would return to court with the first directions hearing on 12 December.