Shopping trolley pollution on the agenda
Tue 23 May 2006
Roz Kelly, Journalism
Maroochy Council wants to launch a trolley pollution combat campaign which could result in fining shoppers about $100, but admitted to lack of research into the problem.
Division Three Councillor, Paul Tatton said council was now in the process of “developing a local law for supermarkets and community members who could be fined if they do not do the right thing with trolleys."
"However, council has not done any research to my knowledge on where the problem is coming from … only that council is working on the complaints received from the community,” he said.
Under the proposed new law, shoppers can be fined about $150 if they abandon a trolley outside the shopping precinct while supermarkets would be punished with impounded trolleys and a fine if they do not collect stray trolleys from the community.
Ratepayer’s Association Representative, Ian Randall, said council could not make the people liable and supermarkets were the only one to blame.
“It's the supermarkets' problem, they’ve created it by having trolleys,” he said.
However Mr Randall said he understood council’s concern.
“They’re clearly creating an environmental nuisance, creeks, front yards, roadsides,” he said.
Cr Tatton said it was not about “council wielding a big stick” and it merely acted on the “community coming to us and raising concerns”.
“Council and the supermarket people would like to work on a broader program that encompasses the whole of the community instead of targeting any one sector, this way we believe we shall get the best outcome,” he said.
Ideas included a coin operated system which involved a $2 deposit to take a trolley and would be refunded on return. Woolworths’ corporate communications manager, Claire Buchanan, said the method was an inconvenience.
“We trialled coin operated systems in a number of locations…they are pretty unpopular with many customers,” she said.
Supermarket representatives said it could increase petty crime as the elderly would be preyed on for cash. Also, the system would not accommodate EFTPOS and credit card users and may result in them shopping elsewhere.
“In some instances it could be a deterrent, if there’s a choice between a supermarket that has one and one that hasn’t that could be a factor,” Ms Buchanan said.
Council and supermarket representatives both agreed on a community education program ranging from TV commercials and radio and newspaper advertisements to posters and signs.
“Great, anything where we can avoid fining people should be applauded,” Cr Tatton said.
Cr Tatton said the program would go well “for about 12 months and then might die down” but council were prepared to “give it a go”, just not pay for it.
“It is hoped that the supermarkets would fund a education program themselves, I don’t see any role for council to fund the education program,” he said.
Mr Randall said it was a “waste of bloody time” and they should just put “signs on all cash registers”.
Council said they would give 12 months public notification before a law was implemented.
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