Two-week hearing involving Hillcrest jumping castle operator set to begin on November 5

There will be delays in the hearing for the jumping castle operators at the centre of the Hillcrest tragedy. Find out why the dates were pushed back and when it will finally go to court.

Rosemary Gamble (middle) leaving the Devonport Magistrates Court. Picture: Simon McGuire.

The hearing dates for the criminal proceedings against the jumping castle operator involved in the Hillcrest tragedy have been pushed back by at least two months.

Rosemary Gamble, owner of jumping castle Taz-Zorb, has previously pleaded not guilty to one count of failing to comply with health and safety duty category 2.

A category two offence is when a person is exposed to a risk of death or serious injury or illness.

Students Zane Mellor, Peter Dodt, Jalailah Jayne-Marie Jones, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan, and Chace Harrison were killed at Hillcrest Primary School on December 16, 2021, after being flung about 10m into the air while inside the inflatable jumping castle, with three other children also injured in the incident.

SUNDAY Pictures. Mourners pay tribute to the children who died after gust of wind swept away a jumping castle at Hillcrest Primary School Devonport Tasmania. Picture: Jason Edwards

The matter was tentatively pencilled in for a two-week hearing starting on September 2.

However, following a directions hearing the Devonport Magistrates Court on Friday, the new dates of November 5 to 15 have been set aside.

Ms Gamble and her lawyer, Chris Dockray, appeared via telephone during the directions hearing on Friday.

Some of the families of the victims were also present in the courtroom.

Both the defence and the prosecution have flagged their intention to inspect the jumping castle ahead of the hearing, where it would be fully inflated.

Mr Dockray also said that its two experts, one specialising in inflatable devices and the other a geotechnical engineer, would inspect the school grounds where the tragedy occurred.

However, Crown prosecutor Madeleine Wilson told the court that for the jumping castle to be inspected, the release of it would need to be approved by the coroner’s office, which is expected to make its decision on July 24.

“It is anticipated that if the order is made, the experts are available on the week starting August 19 to conduct the key examinations,” Ms Wilson said.

“It’s out of my control, but we anticipate that the order be made on the 24th of July to release the jumping castle.

“We are mindful of the location and will pick a suitable one that will be out of public view.”

Mr Dockray said that his experts would likely examine the jumping castle during the same week as the prosecution.

He also told the court the experts would visit Hillcrest Primary School the weekend prior, either August 17 or 18, to inspect where the tragedy occurred.

Both the prosecution and defence indicated to Magistrate Duncan Fairley that the reports from the examination would take around two months to be finalised.

The matter has been listed for mention at the Devonport Magistrates Court on October 4 at 9.45am.

However, Magistrate Fairley said should any issues arise in the coroner’s office granting access to the jumping castle, he would order that the matter be brought back to court for further directions as soon as possible.