Westfield Hornsby reveals it will introduce trolley wheel locking system

The trolley trashing on Hornsby’s streets may finally come to end with Westfield announcing a solution to the problem.

Hornsby Westfield and Council have agreed to install locking systems on trolleys to fight the growing spread of trolleys across the region. Picture: Adam Ward

AFTER more than 30 years of trolleys in our streets and a dedicated campaign in the Advocate, Westfield Hornsby has agreed to install a trolley locking system.

Hornsby Council, Westfield Hornsby and its retailers have been working for more than nine months — and finally all parties have agreed that a wheel-locking mechanism will be fitted to all trolleys inside the centre in the next seven months.

After dozens of letters, hundreds of online comments and countless reports by the Advocate, Westfield regional manager Jason Knott announced exclusively it would fix the issue.

“Westfield Hornsby prides itself on being an active member of the community,” Mr Knott said.

“We were pleased to meet and work with council and our retail partners to come up with this solution that we collectively believe best meets the needs of the community.

“Customers can be assured plenty of trolleys will be available during and after the transition, which we expect to take some months.’’

New wheel-locking devices will be installed in Hornsby.

Once the system is in place, shoppers will not be able to use trolleys in Hornsby Mall or on the streets.

“The trolleys will lock at all entry and exit points to the centre, which means customers will need to travel along Level 1 or 3 to cross Hornsby Mall to the opposite side of the centre,” Mr Knott said.

Hornsby Mayor Steve Russell called on shoppers to continue to return trolleys to allocated bays, until the wheel-locking system has been installed. “The illegal removal and dumping of trolleys has become a major concern and council has been working hard with Westfield and the retailers to find the best solution.

Shopping trolleys left in the Hornsby area.

“Westfield has always been a responsible corporate citizen and this is another example of them listening to the community and co-operating with council to achieve the best results.”

Councillor and trolley advocate Nathan Tilbury said he was pleased that a solution had finally been announced.

“It took a little longer than many of us would have liked but it is very important that the chosen strategy actually works, rather than just be another ineffective Band-Aid, and this solution is worth the wait,” he said.