"The proposition that Powercor created, or aggravated, the risk of bushfire on St Patrick’s Day in the pleaded circumstances - that is, by failing to clear healthy blue gums in a plantation - is fanciful," he found.

"The claim in nuisance that is articulated by (plaintiff) Block is not coherent with the responsibilities and obligations created by the statutory scheme.

"The proceeding will be summarily dismissed," he found.

Maddens Lawyers, of Warrnambool, and Tim Tobin, QC, ran the class action and will not be paid for their professional services.

The issue of Powercor's costs have been adjourned until a further hearing on February 15.

It is expected that those costs will have to be paid by the Gazette class action lead plaintiffs Nicholas and Georgina Block.

Industry sources expect the costs to be about $250,000.

Mr Block on Thursday declined to comment.

Maddens Lawyers principal Brendan Pendergast said the Supreme Court of Victoria on Wednesday ruled that Powercor has no case to answer in relation to the Gazette fire as pleaded.

Mr Pendergast was asked about the fundamental issues with the case and about Powercor's costs.

"Of course, some cases are difficult and some are easy," he said.

"We don't confine our efforts to easy cases. There is no order for costs. The costs issue is reserved."

Mr Pendergast said Maddens would soon convene a meeting of property owners affected by the Gazette fire to discuss the ruling.

"And consider any possible options for recovery of compensation for these fire victims. That has been and continues to be Maddens Lawyers' focus," he said.

Mr Pendergast said the court on Wednesday also heard submissions and provided directions to  parties in respect of the Garvoc class action, which involves about 40 people, and the Terang class action, involving more than 180 people, relating to a forthcoming court ordered mediation of each matter.

"We believe these cases disclose very strong causes of action against Powercor," he said.

"If they are not resolved at mediation they are both fixed for trial in October of this year.

"Presently we are well under way with the important task of identifying and quantifying each fire victim's total compensable fire related losses.”

In 2017, 4000 survivors of the Black Saturday bushfires who were claimants in a class action against SP Ausnet shared in a $496 million settlement. That came after personal injury money was distributed to survivors in 2016, through which around 1800 claimants shared in $192 million.

Law firm Maurice Blackburn reached Australia's largest class action settlement in 2014 for the Kinglake fire, with SP AusNet liable for $380 million and government agencies to pay $104 million.

In 2015, the Murrindindi fire was settled for $300 million.

AusNet Services was held directly responsible in court for causing the fires

The Black Saturday bushfires killed 173 people, including 119 in the Kilmore East-Kinglake fires, and 40 in the Murrindindi fire complex.

Warrnambool Standard