A new timeline will be developed for building the replacement facility for a troubled Tasmanian youth detention centre.
An inquiry, set to deliver a final report in August, heard harrowing stories of physical, sexual and verbal abuse of child detainees at Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
The state government in September 2021 pledged to close the centre and set up new therapeutic facilities by the end of 2024.
It has said Ashley cannot be closed until appropriate alternatives are in place.
Minister for Children and Youth Roger Jaensch said the state government remained on the record with the commitment but had since announced more sophisticated youth justice reforms.
Five purpose-built facilities will replace Ashley, including a detention centre in the state's south, two assisted bail facilities and two supported residential facilities.
"We are now in the process of finalising a preferred site for the development of the southern youth detention facility, which will be a critical first component of the ability to close Ashley," Mr Jaensch told state budget estimates on Wednesday.
Mr Jaensch said his department was analysing feedback on two shortlisted sites and would provide advice on next steps.
He said he wanted to confirm the site as soon as possible so more detailed planning could occur.
"As soon as we have that clear we would be able to project a new time frame for the delivery of that site," he said.
"I will keep the parliament and the public updated on progress with that."
One senior justice department worker told the inquiry, which wrapped up public hearings in September, that the 2024 deadline was very tight.
Mr Jaensch said a "historically high" 19 young people were currently at the centre, with 16 of them not sentenced and on remand.
The minister said there had been periods of restrictive practices, in which detainees are confined to their rooms, in recent weeks because of unplanned staff absences.
The centre has operated for some two decades and was previously a boys' home.
Evidence at the inquiry, which examined child sexual abuse in state institutions, prompted calls from political parties and human rights advocates for centre to be shut immediately.
Counsel assisting the inquiry Rachel Ellyard said it was open for the commission to find "rather than (it) being about monsters infiltrating. You may find it is Ashley that is the monster".
