The Hills Shire Council encourages residents to report abandoned trolleys so they can be collected. Abandoned trolleys can obstruct roads or footpaths, become a trip hazard or end up in our waterways.
Leaving a shopping trolley unattended in a public place is an offence and fines may apply.
Report and abandoned trolley from:
What Council is Doing
Council has met with and written to all local retailers who use trolleys to encourage them to consider using geospatial fenced trolley containment systems if they don’t already.
The Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 and accompanying Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Regulation 2022 came into force on 1 November 2022.
These new laws repeal and replace the outdated Impounding Act 1993 and help protect our valuable public spaces from abandoned and unattended items. The new laws provide councils with stronger powers and penalties to clear our footpaths, streets, parks, bushland and waterways of abandoned and unattended property. It also creates a strong incentive for people to take responsibility for their property in public, including shopping trolleys.
Under the new laws owners and others responsible for private property left in public face stronger regulatory action if they do not remove their property within risk-based timeframes.
To allow the public and businesses to become familiar and comply with the new laws, a grace period will apply until 1 May 2023 for some penalties. Warnings, rather than fines, may be issued for certain items to which new rules apply if they are left unattended in public places.
These reforms were developed following widespread consultation with councils, members of the public, industry/business groups, retailers, peak bodies and government agencies.
Find out more about the new laws and what they mean for you.