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Aug 15, 2023

Stirling councillor Joe Ferrante wants to tackle dumped trolley crisis by imposing $500 fine

A City of Stirling councillor says he wants supermarket giants to be held

A City of Stirling councillor says he wants supermarket giants to be held accountable for abandoned shopping trolleys when left for longer than two days.

Speaking to PerthNow exclusively, Cr Joe Ferrante says fines for discarded, left or dumped supermarket trolleys across the city should be set at $500 per cart — chargeable to the relevant brand of supermarket owner.

Cr Ferrante, who confirmed he will submit his motion at the city‘s May 30 meeting, wants the fine applied if after tagging, a trolley is left longer than 48 hours on verges, parks, footpaths or streets managed by the city.

"The reasoning behind it is that typically we see disposed trolleys from certain large majors more often in our parks, lake areas and dumped in our lovely playgrounds," he said.

"They are also left on footpaths and our poor elderly have to walk around or push them out of the way. I find it an environmental hazard."

Cr Ferrante, who is up for re-election in October, says supermarkets are not doing enough to stop the issue from "littering" the streets.

Cr Ferrante, who is up for re-election in October, says supermarkets are not doing enough to stop the issue from "littering" the streets.

"I think because the value of a trolley is about $200 that maybe there's a disincentive in them (supermarkets) being quicker to act," he said.

"I think that trolleys are left a lot longer than they should be and the catchment is typically within a few kilometres of the shopping centre."

At present when an abandoned trolley is reported, city rangers tag and confiscate the carts to be transported back to the council's depo before making contact with the relevant brand's state office.

Woolworths said it partnered with Trolley Tracker, a service which allows members of the public to report abandoned trolleys via a free phone call or online.

"We understand abandoned trolleys can be a nuisance ... (but) the vast majority do the right thing in returning them," a Woolworths spokesperson said.

"We work closely with dedicated collection contractors who respond quickly to reports of abandoned trolleys to return them to our stores. They also conduct regular sweeps for abandoned trolleys in the streets surrounding our stores.

"These efforts not only help preserve local amenity but also ensure we have enough trolleys available for our customers."

Coles said while it spent a significant amount on maintaining trolleys each year, it admitted that abandoned carts were a nuisance to local communities.

But Cr Ferrante said retail outlets could do more on their part.

"I am trying to make it an incentive (fines) for the supermarket to consider and look at mechanisms to minimise trolleys going outside of the boundaries so there are fewer chances of it dumped elsewhere," Cr Ferrante said.

"I mean to be honest I’ve never seen an Aldi trolley ever dumped because there's a $2 option on it and it's a coin they need to put in there.

"I think people who are reporting are fed up with ringing up only to hear about a hotline number or to go online ... it shouldn't be their issue, it should be the supermarket's responsibility, to be honest."

Coles said it regularly reassessed its trolley management plan and took local feedback into account when deciding what methods to employ at any of its stores - including the use of coin locks and electronic wheel lock systems.

This week PerthNow travelled around the city in search of abandoned trolleys and found a cart in Balcatta used as a makeshift flower stand and another at a dilapidated site in Innaloo carrying a blanket and a towel.

While Cr Ferrante declined to comment on dumped trolleys in relation to the growing issue of homelessness and traffic light beggars, but said it was a "difficult one to police".

Last week PerthNow reported that despite "reporting fatigue" - crime statistics in Nollamara are on the up with one councillor wanting the city to improve amenities in order to reactivate community spaces.

Cr Andrea Creado said cracking down on illegal dumping and improving the appearance of verges and streetscapes, especially those that belong to the council, could be the first step in reducing crime numbers.

The National Retail Association was contacted but declined to comment on Cr Ferrante's motion.