Self-appointed trolley collector‘s mighty push in battle on rogue trolleys
A Mentone retiree who has dedicated two years to clearing her streets of wayward grocery carts says retailers need to take more responsibility in returning them. But Trolley Tracker app director Chris Ford says it’s up to the customer.
Inner South
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A woman who has dedicated herself to collecting stray trolleys for more than two years is pushing for a statewide locking network.
Carmel Chamier, 67, is Kingston’s unofficial trolley woman heroine, and spends her spare time collecting and returning dumped grocery carts left scattered around the streets.
But since Ms Chamier’s solo campaign started in March 2017, she says her message is still “not getting through” to retailers and Kingston Council, and is demanding a statewide mandate ordering all retailers to use a coin-based locking system to encourage customers to return trolleys to bays.
The order would also outline a time frame for the prompt pick-up of carts by local councils, she said.
“It’s frustrating … the longer the trolleys are left, the more they become a nuisance and get filled up with rubbish …” Ms Chamier said.
The passionate Mentone woman has spent months collating photographic evidence of rogue trolleys, including instances where they have been discarded next to the new Mentone Piazza art piece and at other locations including the Southland and Thrift Park shopping precincts and Mentone and Cheltenham train stations.
Ms Chamier returns up to six trolleys a day to their rightful homes — sometimes picking up a gold coin bonus for her efforts — and has even befriended the Thrift Park shopping centre trolley worker.
“I keep myself trim by walking up and down the roads and I’ve been soaked wet in the rain while trying to take important photos,” Ms Chamier said.
“The Thrift Park trolley man does a tremendous job and works through rain, hail or shine. he’s very conscientious about making sure they are returned.
In a letter to Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, Ms Chamier said all councils should have an action plan to identify and prosecute serial trolley dumpers.
“Motorists are facing daily challenges on all busy roads including Nepean Highway, Warrigal, Centre Dandenong, Charman, Chesterville, (and) Balcombe Rds with trolleys left dumped at giveaway signs and turned upside down at bus stops and railway carparks,” she wrote.
Ms Chamier received a response from Ms D’Ambrosio but said her weekly visits and emails to Kingston Council have been ignored.
“This is a concern to ratepayers who expect our council to have some respect for the environment and public safety.”
She said abandoned trolleys were mostly investigated by councils but said “all retailers have a responsibility to ensure their trolleys are managed appropriately.”
Kingston Council said responsibility for collecting abandoned trolleys “largely” falls on the shopping complex.
There is a $100 infringement penalty for leaving trolleys unattended with a maximum penalty in court of $1000 but no infringements have been issued this year.
“When shopping trolleys are found in an area other than land under the care and control of the owner of the shopping complex, it is the responsibility of the manager of the supermarket to immediately collect the trolley when notified,” City Assets and Environment general manager Bridget Draper said.
“In 2008 Kingston Council introduced a local law that large supermarkets must have coin operated trolleys … this has significantly reduced the number of dumped trolleys.”
But Trolley Tracker director Chris Ford, whose organisation has received more than 62,000 reports of wayward trolleys in Victoria in the last 12 months, said it was the customer’s responsibility to return trolleys back into the bay.
“There are people who need to push their trolleys for long distances for many reasons, they may not drive and need to take it home, or need to push them to the bus stop,” he said.
“It’s an issue of personal responsibility. The retailer provides a trolley to help people to get their goods to the car or bus stop, and part of the deal is that people should take them back.”
MORE NEWS
BELOVED PET KILLED IN SAVAGE DOG ATTACK
PRINCE HOTEL REOPENS FOR SUMMER
MELBOURNE’S TOP 10 DOG GROOMERS REVEALED
“It’s unfortunate there is a small portion of people who don’t do the right thing.”
On Kingston Council’s website they say they refer abandoned trolley reports to Trolley Tracker.
To report an abandoned trolley to your local council, download the Trolley Tracker app or phone 1800 641 497