The City of Canning is set to crack down on abandoned shopping trolleys from major retailers after concerns were raised in last week’s council meeting about their negative impact on the environment, community safety, and the overall amenity of the local area.
A motion brought forward by Councillors Mark Bain and Joanne Page successfully passed, requesting Mayor Patrick Hall and Chief Executive Officer Michael Littleton to convene a meeting with Scentre Group, who owns Westfield Carousel, to discuss the ongoing issue of abandoned shopping trolleys.
With 12 million annual visitors and 342 stores, including major retailers such as Coles, Woolworths, Kmart, and Target, Westfield Carousel in Cannington is WA’s largest shopping centre.
According to Councillors Bain and Page, the large volume of shopping trolleys required to service these retailers has contributed to the growing issue of abandoned trolleys in the surrounding suburbs.
Speaking at the council meeting last week, Councillor Mark Bain said residents and rangers shouldn’t have to bear the burden of dealing with the discarded trolleys and change is desperately needed.
“Clearly, the retailers’ current collection methods are not working,” he said.
“Abandoned shopping trolleys reduce the amenity and liveability of our suburbs. They make Canning streets and parks look untidy, unwelcoming and uncared for.”
Under the City’s Local Government Property and Public Places Local Law 2021, it is the responsibility of retailers to remove trolleys from public areas.
The council has also requested the chief executive write to other shopping centres, such as Lynwood Shopping Centre and Bunnings Cannington, informing them how containment measures can help mitigate the issue of abandoned trolleys.
Councillor Page said she believes magnetic locking systems should be installed by major retailers as a containment measure and personally knows the safety risks they can pose.
“They’re more than just an eyesore; they’re also a major safety hazard. They can block pedestrian pathways, create obstacles for people with mobility impairments and cause accidents with cyclists and pedestrians,” Councillor Page said.
“I have personally treated a teenage patient with multiple fractures after they went down a skate bowl in a shopping trolley, which required months of rehabilitation.”
“Containment systems offer a simple and effective solution. By encouraging retailers to install these systems, we can create a more visually appealing environment.”
As requested in the motion, the City is also expected to launch a public information campaign via its electronic platforms to raise awareness of the issues caused by discarded trolleys and how they can be reported.
