Northern Tasmania local news briefing: Tuesday, November 3 - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Here's what's making news in northern Tasmania today.

The coronial inquest into the Hillcrest Primary School tragedy is due to resume today with possible expert evidence from a planetary scientist.

Six children died and three were seriously injured when a so-called dust devil tossed a jumping castle across a north-west Tasmanian primary school oval in December 2021.

The inquest began in September before coroner Olivia McTaggart, who heard evidence from the mother of one of the victims, police officers and the CEO of Ambulance Tasmania.

The jumping castle operator is expected to give evidence this week, as is former Tasmania Police detective inspector Kim Steven.

The planetary scientist may be called for their expertise on dust devils.

The company liquidating Australia's only manganese smelter is hoping to pursue the assets of its former owner to repay creditors, the ABC understands.

Northern Tasmania's Liberty Bell Bay smelter went into administration in March, due to financial issues with its owner, Sanjeev Gupta's GFG Alliance.

It closed in July, with about 200 workers losing their jobs.

The ABC understood Mr Gupta was last week served a subpoena to appear in Federal Court to be examined by liquidators EY Parthenon.

Tasmanian Industry Minister Felix Ellis said Tasmanians had every right to expect those responsible for Liberty Bell Bay's collapse to be held to account.

The Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) says conditions on the state's east coast remain extremely dry despite significant rainfall over the past week.

TFS is bracing for an earlier-than-usual increase in bushfire risk across Tasmania due to warmer temperatures, below-average rainfall and dry vegetation.

On Monday, it released new guides on protecting homes and gardens against bushfires ahead of summer.

Acting regional chief Kier Wilsons said the TFS was ready to respond.

He said the Bureau of Meteorology had not yet produced its long-range forecast, but TFS expected the drier, warmer conditions forecast for spring to continue into summer.

Devonport's Chamber of Commerce and Industry says it is an "exciting" time for businesses in the region.

The chamber released its annual report last week, showing it received roughly $80,000 in sponsorships, grants and event funding, almost double the previous year's total.

President Claire Connelly said local businesses faced challenges, but there were opportunities too.

She said Devonport's transformation over the past 10 years, new Spirit vessels coming online and significant investment by council and other levels of government in the local economy were "really positive for business".