The devastation after the bushfire at Dunalley.
PARLIAMENT will need to approve the mounting clean-up bill for January's devastating bushfires in Tasmania's south-east.
The Bushfire Recovery Unit has estimated the cost of each of the 300 properties eligible for the state government-funded clean-up at $10-$12,000, meaning the total bill was likely to top $3 million.
The figure is based on the average cost of the first 37 properties to be cleared by Hazell Bros, which was awarded the contract without going to tender.
Premier Lara Giddings said a Supplementary Appropriation Bill would be required to be passed by State Parliament to pay for the unbudgeted amount.
The government is yet to reveal the overall cost of the bushfire disaster.
At least $22 million has been spent by state and federal governments and state-owned businesses.
That figure includes $7.1 million in Commonwealth grants paid out to victims, $10 million spent by Aurora to rebuild the power poles and connections and the $3-$4 million Forestry Tasmania estimates its firefighting efforts cost.
Ms Giddings said the budget committee was examining the costs to each department this financial year and ongoing requirements.
If the government had not decided to pay for the clean-up, bushfire recovery unit director Mathew Healey said the cost would have come out of victims' insurance payouts or their own pockets.
``Given the size and intensity of these bushfires, we want to help affected communities to get back on their feet by removing the visual scars of these fires as quickly and safely as possible,'' Mr Healey said.
``We also want to help individuals and businesses to direct their limited resources into rebuilding their lives and their community.''
He said the clean-up was on track to be completed by the end of April.