In a unanimous decision at today’s council meeting in Proserpine, councillors voted to allow free entry to all council’s aquatic facilities across the region from January 1, 2018.

The Airlie Beach Lagoon, Bowen Water Park and Collinsville Swimming Pool are already free but council voted to stop charging for entry to the Proserpine Swimming Pool and the Bowen Swimming Pool.

It also voted to allow free entry to the new Proserpine Water Park which starts construction next month and is due for completion by Easter 2018.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox said the free use of all council’s aquatic facilities was a positive move to encourage residents and visitors to use facilities more often.

“A key focus of this council is improving liveability for our community and making entry free ticks all the boxes,” he said.

Swimmers who have purchased season passes for 2017-18 for the Proserpine or Bowen pools will be able to claim a 50 per cent refund from any council customer service centre.