A NEW retainer wall, freshly laid turf and new gardens now pave the entrance for motorists entering the main street of Airlie Beach, as a result of Ideal Placements latest community project.

The project, created by Ideal Placements with the help of Dig-It Landscaping, aimed to restore the dead space before the round-a-bout of Shute Harbour Road and Waterson Way to lift morale of main street operators and give local residents an opportunity to develop new skills.

Ideal Placements CEO Kathy Dine said the employment service specialised in helping people with illness, injury, disability or health conditions to get work.

"I am very happy with the success of the project and hopefully it gave our clients some new landscaping and gardening skills which will potentially lead to employment," she said.

Under the supervision of Ideal Placements and Dig-it Landscaping co-ordinators, workers eagerly set out to complete the four week project.

Dig-It Landscaping project manager Mark Wilson jumped at the opportunity to support the project, donating materials and resources for the restoration of the area.

"It's the first thing people see when they drive into Airlie so we made a plan to dig up all the old plants, restore the old retaining wall and replant and returf the area," he said. Whitsunday Regional Councillor Kevin Collins presented the project to council and said it was nice to be a part of a solution.

"The main street project is something that we have all been sweating on for a long time, but it's done and there seems to be a nice positive buzz in the air," he said.

For more information on projects or to offer employment opportunities, contact Ideal Placements on 4948 2121.