 The area's economy is mainly based on tourism, and sugar is the main agricultural product.The Shire of Proserpine was established from part of the Shire of Wangaratta on 19 January 1910 under the "Local Authorities Act 1902".On 18 February 1989, the Shire of Proserpine was renamed Shire of Whitsunday due to its inclusion of the popular Whitsunday Islands.