Corrections Minister Elise Archer confirmed contractors had been carrying out soil testing on the preferred site on Birralee Road to determine the feasibility of the site.

Ms Archer said the testing was to further inform the government's future decision making processes.

"This testing is not part of any construction works and is in no way an indicator of a final decision to proceed or otherwise with the preferred site," she said.

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SGS Economics are independently undertaking the Social and Economic Impact Study, that includes the survey, the minister previously confirmed in December 2019.

"The precise details of the survey will be determined by SGS Economics," she said.

"I have previously indicated to the Westbury community that interim results from the study would be shared with the community in February."

However Lyons Labor MHA Jen Butler said it looked like the government was pushing ahead with developing the site while Tasmanians were distracted by the Liberals' "chaos".

"Instead of counting the numbers, Elise Archer should be working out how to get out of the mess that she's created in Westbury," she said.

"Make no mistake, this means Westbury has progressed from being the government's 'preferred' site, they are pushing on no matter what the local community have to say."

The government announced its preferred site was the Birralee Road one in September. Rocherlea, Wivenhoe and two Latrobe sites were also identified.

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