By LAURA WAKELY
MORE than 30 homes are still waiting for repairs more than six months after heavy hailstorms hit Brimbank.
Keilor MP Natalie Hutchins has organised a public meeting next week for residents whose homes were damaged by storms on Christmas Day last year.
Ms Hutchins will be joined by Maribyrnong MP and Financial Services Minister Bill Shorten, Insurance Council of Australia’s general manager Karl Sullivan, Gary Gurowski from Financial Ombudsman Service Ltd and representatives from Brimbank and Melton Community Legal Centres at the meeting.
Insurance companies have also been invited to the meeting, but are yet to confirm their attendance.
Murray Morgan, who has been working from Ms Hutchins’ office helping residents with their insurance claims, said the meeting would give people a chance to voice their concerns.
He said there are at least two families who haven’t been able to return to their home since Christmas Day and a further 30 who are waiting on repairs.
Mr Morgan, who has 48 years of experience in the insurance industry, said he was “bitterly disappointed” by the way people had been treated.
The Brimbank resident can empathise as he is also waiting on his insurance company for repairs.
“It’s pathetic service,” Mr Morgan said.
“I thought it would take longer than most people were originally thinking because of the volume of claims. But certainly not like this.”
Some residents have also had botched repairs where floors have been laid down incorrectly, tin rooves cut with crooked edges and paint jobs appear to have been “done in watercolour”.
Mr Morgan said many residents were past breaking point, with stories of depression and family break-ups not uncommon among those affected.
The meeting will be held from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at Keilor Downs Community Centre in Taylors Rd on Wednesday 25 July.
For information contact Natalie Hutchins’ office on 9449 1511.
