Hornsby Council impounds hundreds of abandoned shopping trolleys from Westfield tenants
Hornsby Council has used the cover of darkness to impound more than 450 trolleys left abandoned across the CBD, in a Christmas miracle for a fed up community.
- Westfield Hornsby reveals trolley wheel locking system
- Hornsby council staff believe end to trolley-trashing is near
- Hornsby Council met with retailers to combat trolley trashing
- Councillor calls out Hornsby Westfield management for stalling
Hornsby Council has used the cover of darkness to impound more than 450 trolleys left abandoned across the CBD, in a Christmas miracle for a fed up community.
Council staff, Westfield Hornsby and its tenants have been locked in a stalemate over the responsibility of thousands of abandoned trolleys for several years — resulting in failed promises to install wheel locking mechanisms across all trolleys from businesses within the centre.
However, Hornsby Council decided to force retailers hands on Sunday night, sending out officers to collect and impound trolleys at the Thornleigh council depot.
“This was our last resort and it is unfortunate it has come to this, but something had to be done,” Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock told the Advocate.
“We have spent more than two years negotiating with the supermarkets and other corporations who have allowed these trolleys to litter our streets, but unfortunately the talks have not resulted in any change.
“Westfield and its retailers have agreed to install wheel-locking mechanisms on their trolleys, yet nothing has been done.”
Cr Ruddock promised ratepayers would not be left with footing the bill for the collection — revealing retailers would be forced to pay fees if they wanted their trolleys back.
“We are confident the retailers will conclude it is in their best interest to collect the trolleys themselves, as they should have been doing all along,” Cr Ruddock said.
“This is a significant issue, one that is high on the list of priorities for many community members.”
Council will continue to collect the trolleys until trolleys are collected by retailers on a regular basis.
In March 2017, Westfield regional manager Jason Knott promised an initiative to install a wheel locking system would be rolled out across the entire centre — claiming the installation would take several months.
The promise came after 30 years of reporting from the Hornsby Advocate, calling for the issue to be resolved.
“Westfield Hornsby prides itself on being an active member of the community,” Mr Knott said at the time.
Hornsby councillor and trolley fighter Nathan Tilbury said there was, on average, 500 trolleys within a 1km radius of Hornsby Westfield.
“I am not surprised by the number that were impounded overnight,” Cr Tilbury said.
“Council will go out again tonight, and will be continuing to collect these abandoned trolleys until retailers run out and are forced to take notice.
“We need Hornsby Westfield to fulfil the promise they made almost two years ago.”
Cr Tilbury said council was committed to impounding until Westfield make a permanent resolution to fix the issue.
“We will do this until the problem is fixed,” he said.
Westfield Hornsby were contacted for comment.
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