A city council has sparked a backlash by announcing it will ban thongs and thong swimsuits from one of its swimming pools.
Blue Mountains Leisure Centers (BMLC), a branch of Blue Mountains Council, announced on Monday that thongs and thong swimsuits are “not acceptable” at its facilities.
The change means the trendy swimsuit style is now banned at Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre, Springwood Fitness and Aquatic Centre, Blackheath Swimming Pool and Glenbrook Swimming Centre.
The center’s entry conditions now state that “customers are encouraged to shower thoroughly before entering the pool and recognized swimwear must be worn.”
“Recognized swimsuits do not include thongs,” the conditions said.
The thong ban came to light after the council was forced to explain what it meant with a sign ruling that “swimming suits/revealing things” were prohibited.
The council explained on social media: “The ‘Revealing Swimsuits/Thongs’ image has attracted attention, this image refers to thongs and thongs, not bikini tops and bottoms,” the post reads.
“Bikinis are acceptable and considered recognized swimwear.”
Blue Mountains Council has caused a stir among locals after declaring that thong and thong bikinis are “not acceptable” at their local swimming pools (pictured).
Many locals were left perplexed by the decision to ban the popular swimsuit style.
“Shouldn’t people go to the pool to SWIM and not worry about what other people are wearing?” one said.
“How about we fix this by putting the responsibility on the person who has feelings about someone else’s clothes and not on the children who wear them?” said a second local.
‘Young people will wear what is fashionable and this is what is fashionable. If you don’t like it, don’t watch.
A third urged others to “stop worrying or commenting on what other people look like or what they wear.”
“If anyone is so offended by a daring thong bikini, then don’t wear one and don’t watch others wearing one,” they wrote.
“There are a lot of bodies in the pool that I don’t enjoy looking at, they still have every right to be there and wear whatever they want.
“In my opinion, this policy is so outdated and antiquated.”
Locals were confused by the decision (pictured, Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre)
But others said they saw no problem with the ban, adding that there are still swimsuits they can wear in the pool.
‘I don’t see the problem here. People are taking this out of context. It’s not that they are saying cover everything,’ wrote one user.
“There are so many kids who innocently swim and enjoy themselves, only to see so many butts walking around, which I actually find ridiculous,” said another.
“No, we don’t need to look, but kids do and I don’t want them to think it’s okay, especially with dirt around.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Blue Mountains Council for comment.