Onkaparinga councillor suggests giving low-income residents free taxi vouchers to cut trolley dumping

A southern Adelaide councillor says giving low-income residents free taxi vouchers to get their groceries home may cut the area’s trolley dumping problem.

• Call for action to prevent trolleys being dumped in the south

An Onkaparinga councillor has suggested giving low-income residents free taxi vouchers to get their groceries home in a bid to reduce the number of trolleys dumped throughout the district.

Cr Alayna de Graaf said often disadvantaged residents found it difficult to get their shopping home because they did not drive and could not afford a taxi.

“If low income people could have some greater assistance to get their shopping home, I would imagine at least half of the missing trolleys would be alleviated,” Cr de Graaf said.

Onkaparinga councillor Alayna DeGraaf Picture: AAP/ Keryn Stevens.

“Low-income people can’t afford a taxi, and carrying $50 worth of shopping home in bags can be quite difficult, especially if weather is bad.

“Taxi vouchers could be offered by councils at supermarkets in an instance where a person has shopping to carry, and has no money for a taxi, or a car, and isn’t on a bus route or (has another) difficulty getting home with their food.”

Her comments come after advertiser.com.au last month reported Cr Marion Themeliotis had asked Onkaparinga Council to look into ways it could reduce the number of trolleys dumped throughout the district.

She said she had received reports from residents of trolleys stuck in trees or dumped on streets and filled with rubbish which was then set alight.

Council staff are working on a report with possible solutions for the council to consider.

Cr de Graaf will ask the council at its meeting next week to approve setting up a reference group to look into ways to assist low-income earners in the south.

Trolley dumping blights many part of the area.

She said the group would work together to brainstorm solutions and seek community feedback to problems experienced by disadvantaged locals including more connected homelessness services, access to free food and rates rebates.

The issue of dumped trolleys would also be tackled.

The council could lobby the supermarkets to deliver groceries for free on orders over $50, she said.

Currently, you can get groceries delivered to your door for free if you spend more than $300 at Woolworths or $150 at Coles.

Mayor Erin Thompson supported the formation of the reference group but declined to comment further ahead of next Tuesday night’s vote.