Westfield Hornsby and council staff believe end to trolley-trashing saga could be in sight

HORNSBY Council staff and Westfield Hornsby believe they are on the way to solving Hornsby’s trolley-trashing scourge.

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

HORNSBY Council staff and Westfield Hornsby believe they are on the way to solving Hornsby’s trolley-trashing scourge.

After continued community backlash, the council arranged a meeting with Westfield management and supermarket retailers late last year.

A council spokesman told the Advocate talks were underway to see the installation of a wheel-locking system, to stamp out the two-decade-long problem.

“In essence, we are trying to work out the possibility of a wheel-locking system,” the spokesman said.

“These are the discussions we have had with Westfield late last year, and throughout January. We are now working on the finer details as to how this would be installed throughout the Westfield precinct.

“I think this is a step forward – we both see eye-to-eye, we both know there is a problem and we both want to fix it.”

Shopping trolleys left in the Hornsby Asquith areas.

However, the spokesman said a deadline had not been established for work to start.

“In looking at the situation, this is obviously a system that would require some time to implement,” he said.

“I would envisage that costs and installation time frames would impact a possible deadline to fix the problem.”

Westfield regional manager Jason Knott said the council and retailers were “on the same page” when it came to the issue.

“We want to make sure we aren’t just reacting – we want a solution that will work for the long term and for retailers involved in this decision,” Mr Knott said.

“We have been out to different Westfield centres across Sydney to assess our options and see the effectiveness of a wheel-locking system.

“Every action has a reaction that must be dealt with. For example, our exits are all fire exits. We can’t just clog our fire exits up with trolleys – this would be another hazard.”

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

Hornsby councillor Nathan Tilbury said he would like to see a “commitment in place, with a time frame included”.

“Why can’t there be a deadline for a solution?” Cr Tilbury said.

“The people of Hornsby want a plan and a time frame for when this plan will be rolled out.”