Wyndham City is urging residents to help keep our streets free of dumped trolleys with the reminder that trolleys belong at retail complexes, not abandoned on streets or lost in parks and waterways.
Abandoning a trolley is an act of littering and residents can be fined up to $395.
Wyndham City has found that trolleys are abandoned, usually a kilometre from retail hubs at locations across Wyndham but have found the four major shopping complexes in Wyndham to be particular hot spots:
- Pacific Werribee, Hopper Crossing
- Sanctuary Lakes Shopping Centre, Point Cook
- Tarneit Central Shopping Centre, Tarneit
- Manor Lakes Shopping Centre, Wyndham Vale
Wyndham City Mayor Cr Jennie Barrera said that ultimately the problem is caused by shoppers who do not return trolleys.
“If you need to walk your shopping home or to the bus stop it is best to find an alternative like buying your own foldable trolley, this is a common strategy for market goers,” she said.
“We are taking a three-pronged approach to this issue – we’re asking residents to return trolleys; we’re asking those tired of the littering to report trolleys for collection to retailers and we’re working with retailers to take more responsibility to keep our streets free of dumped trolleys.”
Retail complexes have responded well to Council’s Community Amenity Local Law 2023, which included strengthened enforcement in relation to abandoned shopping trolleys.
The change ensured retailers take more responsibility to claim those trolleys abandoned or receive a $395 infringement for each trolley that is not collected within three days after being reported. Council has issued about 135 fines to retailers from January to July 2024.
Residents should report abandoned trolleys directly to retailers, using the Trolley Tracker app or to those retailers listed on Council’s website at: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/shopping-trolleys/#ast