Date set for Melbourne towers COVID-19 lockdown court case
A trial has been listed for a group suing the Victorian government over its controversial decision to lock down nine public housing towers.
More than 3000 residents were forced to stay inside the North Melbourne and Flemington buildings in July 2020.
The immediate COVID-19 lockdown was announced at a 4pm press conference on July 4, with many of the residents unaware of the order until police arrived outside.
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A lone woman is seen looking out the window of her apartment at the North Melbourne public housing flats. Getty
The group are suing the State of Victoria for compensation in the Victorian Supreme Court, claiming the state government subjected them to 14 days of false imprisonment.
The plaintiffs also claim they had inadequate access to food, medicine, information and assistance.
The parties held a case management hearing before Supreme Court Justice John Dixon on Monday.
Residents were blindsided by the Victorian Government's lockdown of nine public housing towers in Melbourne. Nine
The case has been listed for an estimated 20-day trial in September next year.
About 30 witnesses are expected to be called to give evidence.
A further case management hearing will take place at the Victorian Supreme Court in January.
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