The mill has the backing of 51.2 per cent of people in Bass, and 52.5 per cent of people in Lyons, according to a ReachTEL poll of around 1200 voters, commissioned by The Examiner.

In Bass, 38 per cent of people are opposed to the mill, and 10.8 per cent are undecided, and a similar result was found in Lyons.

Gunns receiver KordaMentha says it will soon nominate a preferred bidder for the project’s permits and the 650-hectare site at Bell Bay.

A KordaMentha spokesman said public opinion on the controversial mill would not affect the sale.

‘‘We’re neutral on the matter of the pulp mill – our job is just to get the best return for the creditors,’’ he said.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein says the government wants the pulp mill to go ahead.

“The government remains strongly supportive of the development of a pulp mill, but it needs to be able to stand on its own two feet,” he said.

The government has previously ruled out a further extension of the permits, which require a proponent to start building by April 2017.

Opposition Leader Bryan Green said Labor also backed a ‘‘modern’’ mill that used plantation timber.

‘‘We await with interest KordaMentha’s announcement of a preferred buyer for the Bell Bay site and permits,’’ he said.

‘‘It remains our strong hope that a pulp mill will be built to create jobs and economic opportunity for Tasmania.’’

But Bass Greens MHA Andrea Dawkins said the project was ‘‘doomed’’.

‘‘The people of Bass are worried about employment, and it is the responsibility of the Hodgman government to implement policy that allays these concerns,’’ she said

‘‘The answer does not lie in a divisive mirage that is the Tamar Valley pulp mill.’’

The party’s stances are largely reflected in the poll results, with 68 per cent of Liberal voters and 49 per cent of Labor voters in Bass in favour of the project, while 95 per cent of  Greens voters oppose the project.

Among undecided Bass voters, 59 per cent are against the mill, and 31 per cent are in favour.