The possibility of siting the prison at Westbury has caused a community backlash in the Meander Valley municipality.

Ms Archer said she hoped to be able to make an announcement soon.

IN OTHER NEWS:

"The government intends to make an announcement about this important infrastructure development soon and at the same time also publicly release the Social and Economic Impact Study," Ms Archer said.

"The Tasmanian Government has recently received the study and we will consider it thoroughly and then release it in full, as promised."

The government originally planned to release the study in mid-April but the impacts of coronavirus contributed to a delay.

The SEIS, undertaken by Victorian-registered company SGS Economics and Planning, included a strongly criticised written survey of up to 9000 Meander Valley residents.

It also included a telephone survey by Myriad research of people in the 7303 postcode area.

Ms Archer watered-down fears that the upcoming Tasmanian Major Projects Bill would be used to fast track the prison project.

"The Northern Regional Prison project is proceeding in line with the usual planning process that currently applies," she said.

Westbury Region Against the Prison president Linda Poulton said the community felt it was at the mercy of the government.

"We can't see any reason why the study, which was prepared with taxpayer funds, cannot be publicly released so that the community can get across the details, like the government is doing right now," she said.

"We were at the mercy of the government at the beginning and we find ourselves at its mercy at the end. "The whole process has been a masterclass in disempowerment.

"We believe that it has been easier to treat our community like this when we are so far removed from Hobart, where all of the decisions about us have all been made.

"Right now, it feels like our heads are on a chopping block, with a small glimmer of hope for a reprieve.ate is in the hands of the government.

"The sooner we know one way or another, the better."