The Anglican Church of Tasmania has released a list of 78 properties, including 55 churches, it plans to sell, partly to help fund an $8.6 million redress for survivors of child sexual abuse.

The list is preliminary, with a total of 108 properties to be sold — 76 churches plus halls, land and residential properties.

Of the properties listed today, 10 were already on the market, four under contract and three already closed.

A quarter of the proceeds from property sales will go towards the redress, while the Anglican Church will quarantine the rest to go back into parishes that lose churches.

The final list will be decided in December, Bishop Condie says. ( ABC News: Emily Street )

Right Reverend Richard Condie, the Anglican Bishop of Tasmania, said local communities would have the opportunity to make the case for their churches to remain.

"This list is not exhaustive and is not yet finalised," he said.

"After Synod there will be a period in which parishes can seek a review of the decision to sell a property, making a case for its exemption.

"Diocesan Council will make its final decision in December."

Bishop Condie said the churches were marked for sale based on their future viability, including the number of people attending the church, the finances coming in and the kinds of ministries they had.

"We know that many of our churches are going to face enormous grief over this," he said.

"We aren't closing any churches, only buildings."

He expected up to 200 survivors of sexual abuse to come forward and request redress.

The Tasmanian Diocese has agreed to increase the payment cap for its own Pastoral Support and Assistance Scheme from $75,000 to $150,000 per claim.

Mayor shocked by number of churches listed

Southern Midlands Mayor Tony Bisdee said his municipality appeared to be "one of the hardest hit", with seven churches on the list.

"I am somewhat shocked," he said.

"I believe most of the Anglican churches in the Southern Midlands area are on the list — I think the only one that is not is St Peter's at Oatlands.

"I am surprised that St Mary's in Kempton is on the list. I believed it to be a viable church with reasonable attendance.

"Recently they built a new organ in there, which cost a lot of money."

'Cemeteries will be protected'

Cemeteries will stay open and be maintained, Bishop Condie says. ( Flickr: Peter )

Mr Bisdee's relative, John Hutton Bisdee, who was the first Tasmanian-born recipient of the Victoria Cross, is buried at St James' Church in Jericho.

Mr Bisdee said he was concerned about the cemeteries attached to the churches set to be sold.

Bishop Condie gave assurances the cemeteries would be protected.

"They will have new cemetery managers, and cemetery managers have an obligation to provide access and upkeep of cemeteries so that people can still use them," he said.

The full list of properties is expected to be made public in two weeks.

The church has been lobbying for the State Government to sign up to the National Redress Scheme for survivors, due to start on July 1, as a result of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Premier Will Hodgman said the Government was actively involved in progressing Tasmania's involvement in the scheme.

"The national scheme hasn't started and isn't due to start until the middle of the year," he said.

"Our hope and expectation is that we will be able to opt in but it's absolutely important that we get this right — not simply because of budget issues but to ensure that the scheme delivers what it should, and that is the best support for victims of abuse."

Loading...