Councillor calls out Hornsby Westfield management for stalling on wheel-locking system

THERE are more trolleys across the Hornsby CBD than Christmas decorations this year despite a plan to curb the problem in March, Nathan Tilbury said.

Shopping trolleys left in the Hornsby Asquith areas.Organised trolley bays

THERE are more trolleys across the Hornsby CBD than Christmas decorations this year despite a plan to curb the problem in March, Nathan Tilbury said.

The Hornsby councillor said trolleys continued to litter the area.

In March, the Advocate revealed an agreement had been made between Westfield and Hornsby Council to install wheel locking systems to prevent the removal of trolleys from the centre.

But after nine months of negotiations, no action has been done to fix the issue.

Shopping trolleys left on Hornsby streets .

Hornsby Westfield regional manager Jason Knott said Scentre Group had agreed to install the locking system and intended to implement a trolley management system.

“A plan has been submitted to council for consideration and we’ll continue discussions until an agreement has been made and will then move forwards with rollout,” he said.

But Cr Tilbury rejected the statement and claimed Westfield had not submitted plans to the council.

Trolley are a major issue across the Hornsby CBD with trolleys being disgared and left outside small businesses and on pathways.

“Westfield made suggestions of what they would like,’’ he said.

“However, council staff told them they needed to develop a formal proposal.

“Westfield have told me that they could install wheel locks immediately — they are already over time and residents want answers.’’

Cr Tilbury said Westfield was backtracking on its promise to prevent trolleys leaving the shopping centre and was shifting the responsibility to the council.

Trolleys left outside small businesses and on pathways.

Cr Tilbury said surveys revealed that up to 800 trolleys were left abandoned in a 1km radius of Westfield each week. He said Westfield announced in March that trolleys would not be able to be used in the adjacent Hornsby Mall but wanted to reverse that decision and delay the system rollout by another six months.

Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock said: “Westfield has committed to bringing this into effect and are currently in discussions with council to find the best way to achieve it.”