Council off their trolleys

By Lia Bichel
SHOPPING trolleys dumped on Noble Park streets and in reserves are not only an eyesore but are posing a threat to people’s safety, according to Paperbark Ward Councillor Roz Blades.
Cr Blades said the trolleys belonged to a retailer at Parkmore Shopping Centre who recently switched their policy so they could be used free of charge.
She said since some people were no longer concerned about getting their money back after using the trolleys, they were leaving them on the streets, dumping them in nearby Frederick Wachter Reserve and even using them for joyrides.
“Many residents have called me with concerns. We don’t want cars to be hit by these trolleys, or for the trolleys to be left on the streets. Some children are even pushing their brothers and sisters around in them,” she said.
“It also looks unkempt and awful. If you go to the reserve for a picnic or run, there are trolleys there.”
She asked the council last week to look into the matter and urged residents to do their part in keeping Noble Park clean.
“I am urging people to leave their trolleys at the shopping centre.”
City of Greater Dandenong Regulatory Services Manager Peter Shelton said the council had a procedure in place that notified traders about the location and number of abandoned shopping trolleys that belonged to them.
“Traders are given 24 hours, from the time of notification, to collect their trolleys. If traders fail to collect the trolleys an infringement can be issued under council’s local laws. The penalty is $100 per trolley. Council will then impound the trolley and a further fee will be applied if the trader subsequently reclaims the trolley,” he said.
“People found dumping trolleys can also receive an infringement under the local law. The penalty is $50.”