Committee chairman Guy Barnett yesterday advertised for written submissions for the inquiry into the closure, sale and dismantling of the mill - prompted by a revealing article in the national The Monthly magazine this month.

Cr Cadart said he was not told by the Liberal government about the inquiry before it was announced.

He said he was at first hesitant about the inquiry, fearing it may delay mill owners Jan Cameron and Graeme Wood's plans to convert the site into an eco-tourism venture.

However, Cr Cadart said after a conversation with councillor Jenny Woods, whose family was affected by the mill's termination, an inquiry was what some of his constituents needed to bring closure.

"My personal view and not those of council ... I have some reluctance about the inquiry but I can only hope that the government are doing it in good faith to help people like the Woods family to get answers and not be used to score political points," he said.

Spring Bay Mill general manager Stuart Loone sent out a newsletter last week informing people that the Planning Commission had approved the site's rezoning.

"As GM, I want to work with community stakeholders to not only make SBM a successful venture but to also ensure that its success generates broader socio-economic benefits for the East Coast and Tasmania," the newsletter said.

"The rezoning opens the door for a greater range of permitted uses.

"We're unenthused by the political distractions that seek to undermine this development."

Mr Loone said a timeline for the project was being finalised and would be released once completed.

Submissions to the inquiry close on August 18.