THE Circular Head Council has congratulated the State Government on its decision to invest $23 million in the Tarkine Drive Road while setting aside 653 hectares of forest previously earmarked for logging as a reserve.Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam said the infrastructure investment would assist to ensure a vibrant tourism-based economy through the difficult economic times ahead.Premier David Bartlett announced the funding today.``Economic modeling shows we can expect the road to increase spending by $55 million per year, with 450 long term jobs flowing from the construction of the road itself.``It is an ideal investment that will provide significant jobs in the short term and build on our assets in the long term,'' Cr Quilliam said.``That it has also resulted in 653 hectares of additional reserved forest is especially pleasing.''Cr Quilliam said the 5.4kms of new roadworks in particular would allow tourists to access the beauty of area.``The Tarkine is a hugely significant area from an environmental standpoint and it is essential that we make it accessible to ensure it is appreciated and cared for into the future.``Importantly, the road will create links to Wynyard, Burnie and the West Coast areas which will all benefit from increased tourist access.''Cr Quilliam said it was predicted that in the first 10 years of operations, the Tarkine Drive plus attractions and future promotion would result in $453 million in increased spending.Environmental groups and some local tourist operators have opposed the new road but Cr Quilliam said the thought the Government has got the balance between development and environmental preservation.``The area is often described as one of Australia's best kept secrets and we are determined it should become one of the nation's best loved places.''The Circular Head Tourism Association has also given its full support to the decision.Head of the CHTA John Dabner said members were pleased by the decision and eager for works to begin.“This is a great decision for economic development in the far north west region which has been searching for an iconic tourism draw card for some time,” Mr Dabner said.The Wilderness Society late today issued a statement saying the decision was overwhelmingly opposed by the community and local business owners, having no tourism industry support and in clear contradiction to an agreed regional tourism strategy. ``The Tarkine road undermines years of collaborative and cooperative work by local councils, conservation groups and local businesses to agree to a tourism strategy for the Tarkine,” said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for the Wilderness Society. ``This road appears a divisive re-election tool that has no tourism credibility and no support from official tourism bodies who endorse the legitimate community tourism strategy.''