The Tasmanian Liberal Government's plan to open up the state's World Heritage Area and national parks to more tourism developments has been contentious from day one — now, it has attracted the attention of the auditor-general.

Key points: On coming to power in 2014, the Hodgman Liberal Government said it would open up areas previously off limits to private development

On coming to power in 2014, the Hodgman Liberal Government said it would open up areas previously off limits to private development One of the first projects — a "luxury" camp within a specially rezoned parcel of World Heritage Area — was met with fierce resistance

One of the first projects — a "luxury" camp within a specially rezoned parcel of World Heritage Area — was met with fierce resistance The process by which prospective developments are assessed has been questioned over its transparency

Rod Whitehead has decided to investigate the controversial Expression of Interest (EOI) process, which conservationists have long argued lacks transparency and proper scrutiny.

The plan was announced in February 2014 as a key election promise of the Tasmanian Liberals and part of Will Hodgman's vision, to grow the tourism industry to 1.5 million visitors per year by 2020.

After winning government in March of that year, the first round of the EOI process for "new, sensible and appropriate" tourism developments in Tasmanian national parks, reserves and Crown land was opened.

'Anonymous panel' overseeing

Thirty-seven projects were received for assessment — ranging from low-impact guided walks and tours to the construction of high-end eco-tourism accommodation.

Round two of the EOI process commenced in December 2016 and remains open as a continuous process so that ideas can be proposed as opportunities arise.

Hall's Island, in Lake Malbena, in Tasmania's Central Highlands area. ( Supplied: Lyndsey Evans )

Nick Sawyer from the National Parks Association welcomed the auditor-general's decision to investigate.

"It's been going on for far too long with an anonymous panel of public servants making all the decisions on developments in national parks before they see the light of day," he said.

It is unclear how many proposals have been received as part of round two, with Mr Sawyer worried it could be up to 40.

"There's rumours of up to 40 proposals in the pipeline … we shudder to think when they're all released — and may or may not get a serious consideration," he said.

Some proposals have been more contentious than others, such as the standing camp at Lake Malbena inside the Walls of Jerusalem National Park.

Nick Sawyer says it is an "anonymous panel of public servants making all the decisions". ( ABC News: Annah Fromberg )

Under the EOI program, the project's assessment is not guided by legislation but an internal government process to identify potential projects and to guide proponents through other relevant approval processes.

According to Mr Whitehead, the nature of the EOI process has drawn public criticism.

"Including the lack of clarification from the Government on what it sees as 'appropriate and sensitive' development in reserves, the potential environmental and access impact on reserve areas and the transparency of the decision making process," he said.

The Office of the Tasmanian Coordinator-General has been responsible for managing the EOI process.

Greens Leader Cassy O'Connor said the office lacked transparency.

"The coordinator-general's office is hugely problematic. That's where developers and special interests go when they want to get the Government's attention and get a deal through," she said.

Program 'delivering jobs and economic benefits': Tourism peak body

A memorandum on the Tasmanian Audit Office's website said the objective of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of the EOI process to achieve development of sensitive and appropriate tourism experiences and associated infrastructure in Tasmania's national parks, reserves and Crown land by private investors and tourism operators to broaden the range of exciting and unique experiences on offer.

This audit will also assess whether:

There is effective coordination of EOI submissions;

There is effective coordination of EOI submissions; Governance arrangements ensure a clearly defined separation of duties and personnel between the assessment and approval functions;

Governance arrangements ensure a clearly defined separation of duties and personnel between the assessment and approval functions; There is clarity and consistency in how regard is given to other relevant processes and approval requirements in related procurement policy documents (including relevant management plans and guidelines); and

There is clarity and consistency in how regard is given to other relevant processes and approval requirements in related procurement policy documents (including relevant management plans and guidelines); and The extent to which advice was provided by Crown Law or the Solicitor-General and whether that advice was implemented or not.

Luke Martin from the Tourism Industry Council said he was not worried about the investigation.

"It's been a very high-profile, contentious policy since day one, so it's appropriate for the auditor-general to investigate," he said.

Mr Martin said the program had achieved its main "goal of bringing forward proposals from the market that frankly was dealing with an attitude that Tasmania was too hard to be able to consider projects".

But he said he hoped the audit would be an opportunity to improve the process.

"From both the proponents perspective but also land managers perspective, from our perspective the EOI process is hugely important to Tasmania's tourism and our capacity to become a nature tourism destination."

A historic hut on Hall's Island in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park in Tasmania, where the Lake Malbena tourism development was planned. ( Supplied: Kathy Van Dulleman )

In a statement the State Government said the EOI process is an opportunity for private operators to develop sensitive and appropriate tourism ventures that broaden the range of unique experiences on offer in our parks and reserves.

"Since inception, the EOI program has made a valuable contribution to delivering the Government's vision to grow the tourism industry, so it continues to deliver jobs and economic benefits across the state," the statement read.

"The Tasmanian Audit Office operates independently from government and as such it would be inappropriate to comment on the process, we look forward to considering the report in due course."

'Bottleneck' for assessments

The Government has also announced a review of the Tasmanian Planning Commission, an independent body that performs a range of statutory and advisory functions for land use, including assessing planning schemes and planning scheme amendments.

Minister for Planning Roger Jaensch said the Tasmanian Government would advertise to find an experienced consultant to undertake a review of the structure of the TPC.

He said the purpose of the review is to ensure that the structure, functions and powers are appropriate to allow the Commission to continue to perform its role as an independent decision maker and advisory body when the new planning reforms are finalised.

Planning consultant Irene Duckett has welcomed the move and said there are areas for improvement.

"There's times where I feel like resourcing available to the Commission lags behind the duties they have to perform so yeah there have been inconsistent processing times."

Ms Duckett said it can relate in delays for assessments before the Commission.

"There are times when there's a bottleneck at the Commission there aren't the same statutory time limits on the Commission's processing duties, as there on other parts of the process, so there combination of statutory timeframes and resourcing creates bottlenecks.

Tasmanian Greens spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff said increased development within Tasmania reiterated the need for unencumbered oversight of the TPC more than ever.

"We question the timing and motivation for this proposed review, and its unexpected announcement rings alarm bells. The TPC's independence must be preserved during and following the government's review. "

The roles of Chairperson and Executive Commissioner have also been advertised.