Marion Council approves shopping trolley by-law, paving the way for fines of almost $200
Shoppers who don’t return their trolleys will face fines of almost $200 under a new council by-law.
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Lazy shoppers could be fined almost $200 for not returning their trolleys to store precincts, under a new by-law approved by Marion Council.
More than two years after declaring war on dumped shopping trolleys, the council has approved a by-law aimed at keeping trolleys off local streets.
Both shoppers and retailers could be fined $187.50 under the by-law.
Marion Mayor Kris Hanna said there had been some concerns from the community about retailers being held responsible for dumped trolleys.
“We’re acting out of strong community concern; we know that it’s contentious to potentially fine retailers as well as shoppers who irresponsibly leave trolleys around (but) this by-law won’t work unless we enforce the co-operation of retailers.
“We held a trolley summit two years ago, and that was very positive, but we didn’t see action from the retailers. As a result and that has led us to create this by law.”
Under the by-law, council staff could issue fines to shoppers if they failed to return trolleys to shopping centres after being instructed to do so.
Retailers would be notified and given 72 hours to collect dumped trolleys or be fined.
The new by-law will now be sent for approval to state parliament’s Legislative Review Committee.
If successful, the council will spend $5000 on publicity to educate the community about the by-law.
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“There will be an extensive campaign of education and publicity so everyone knows exactly where they stand and what the rights and obligations are before anyone gets fined,” Mr Hanna said.
“We’re certainly not trying to catch anyone out or catch them by surprise.
“If this gets through, we will make it very clear that there are serious consequences if people are irresponsible with trolleys and that gives people an opportunity to do the right thing.
“I’d be quite happy if no fine ever needs to be imposed because behaviour changes.”