Though already entered on the Tasmanian Heritage Register in another location, the Kings Meadows site - approved for a residential subdivision over two years ago - was nominated for listing in November.

City of Launceston general manager Michael Stretton told The Examiner they were continuing to work collaboratively with the Tasmanian Heritage Council and the landowner to ensure the significance of the site was "properly" understood, but would not be drawn on the length of the current investigation or to what extent council was funding it.

"We anticipate being able to present the details and outcomes of the investigations in due course," he said.

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The council provided $10,000 for an initial week-long archaeological excavation in October. In February, Mr Stretton conceded further collaborative excavations may be necessary after deeming them neither "warranted or planned" following the November heritage nomination.

“This [excavation] process will also determine the need for any future management of the site,” Mr Stretton said last month, adding that the current subdivision works do not impact the convict station site “in any way”.

Details of the October excavation, provided to the council and obtained under Right to Information in February, suggested no further archaeological investigation was required as the work had revealed much as was possible within the “short time-frame allocated”.

Heritage groups, archaeological bodies and politicians had been calling for further investigation of the site and the release of information provided to council since the find was announced.

[See the excavation briefing document provided to council]

In a separate letter sent to The Examiner shortly after the briefing document’s release, Mr Stretton noted the council had agreed to fund and release in full the recommended final report – expected to be completed later in the year.

Though "few features" remained of the original structure, a brick-lined reservoir extending up to two metres below ground, a table drain containing “Broad Arrow” marked bricks and a wooden barrel possibly predating the 1850s was found, according to the excavation brief.

A chimney base located within the area of the commandants cottage gave "strong evidence" of a building in the area, as did a "concentration of artefacts" found while digging shallow test pits.

What is described as a "dump" was located in a nearby gully, which the document suggests could have been filled with material from the station once it fell out of use in the early 1840s.

[RELATED: A new piece of Tasmanian history was uncovered – sort of. What has happened since?]

Approached for comment, a Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment spokesperson directed questions back to the City of Launceston.

"Heritage Tasmania is assessing the nomination it has received for this place," the spokesperson said. "It is hoped the archaeological investigations commissioned by the LCC will assist this process."

"Once this assessment is complete, the merits of the nomination will be able to be considered and a decision made."

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