ROGUE shopping trolleys littering the city’s streets are posing safety threats to residents and motorists.
The dumped trolleys have now prompted the City of Greater Dandenong Council to undertake a surveillance blitz.
The council this week released a statement declaring it would crack down on ‘dumping hot spots’ because the ongoing problem has continued.
The finger has been pointed at shoppers who do not return their trolleys to bays located within the carparks of shopping centres.
The council has now outlawed trolley dumping and is threatening lazy shoppers with fines of between $50 and $2000.
Mayor Youhorn Chea in a media statement said the council ‘would rather it never got to this.’
“There are many other options available to people needing assistance to get their shopping home, such as a supermarket delivery service, or the council’s community bus,” he said.
“I would like all residents to get behind this campaign in an effort to clean up our neighbourhoods.
“Aside from the many safety issues of leaving trolleys around the streets, trolleys project a very untidy image of our city.
“In 2006/07 the council impounded 1819 trolleys and so far in 2007/08 has already nabbed 596. Please help us to reduce these numbers over the coming months.”
Those seeing a dumped trolley can phone the Trolley Hotline on 1800 245 022.
If the trolley is creating an immediate safety hazard, contact the council’s customer service centre on 9239 5100.