Clampdown on trolleys

Nathan Johnston
SUPERMARKETS face heavy fines if they fail to pick up abandoned shopping trolleys.
The City of Greater Dandenong has started to amend some of its local laws, including the introduction of $200 fines on top of $50 recovery charges for the trolleys.
The council’s director of city development Mal Baker said the previous softer approach had not worked, and unclaimed trolleys were taking up council time and space.
“We do not see it as a council responsibility to pick up and store supermarket trolleys,” Mr Baker said.
“It’s not good in terms of occupational health and safety conditions, and it’s not good use of our resources, so we’ve made it an offence not to pick up a trolley.
“We’re sick and tired of the trolleys filling up our depots.”
Councillor John Kelly said the fines should get the message across.
“Whether they pick the trolley up or not, they will still get the fine,” Cr Kelly said.
“This will make them improve the way they are doing things, and let’s hope it improves the landscape around Dandenong.”
In other changes, council officers will be authorised to restrict the storage of unsightly materials in front yards of residential properties.
Along with old cars and machinery, old boats and caravans will not be permitted to be stored on residential properties.
Roosters will not be permitted on occupied land under half a hectare after a new law was introduced following noise complaints.
The new local laws will be advertised and open to community comment before they are finalised.