Discarded shopping trolleys
Learn how Council regulates discarded shopping trolleys and how you can report, reclaim or prevent trolley misuse.
About discarded shopping trolleys
Taking and leaving shopping trolleys outside shopping centre precincts creates unsightly and hazardous conditions. They can obstruct roads and footpaths, pose safety risks and harm the environment.
Council regulates discarded trolleys in public places (not on private property) under the Health, Safety and Amenity Local Law 2021. Both customers and retailers have a role to play in keeping trolleys within shopping precincts.
Community responsibilities
What you should do
If you use a shopping trolley, you must leave it within the shopping centre precinct.
Removing a trolley without the retailer's permission or a reasonable excuse may result in an on-the-spot fine.
Retailer responsibilities
Businesses that provide shopping trolleys must take reasonable steps to prevent them being removed from the shopping centre precinct.
This may include:
- collecting trolleys within a reasonable timeframe
- using coin-deposit systems
- installing trolley containment, tracking or identification systems.
Report a discarded trolley
Before contacting Council, try reporting the trolley directly to the retailer:
- Aldi: Report via Aldi online form
- Coles, 1st Choice Liquor Stores: Report via Coles online form or phone 1800 876 553
- Bunnings: Phone 1300 554 777
- Target, Kmart: Phone 1800 163 900
- Officeworks: Phone 1300 633 423
- Big W, Dan Murphy's, Woolworths: Report via Trolley Tracker or phone 1800 641 497.
If the retailer does not collect the trolley in a reasonable time, contact Council.
Seized trolleys
Council may seize trolleys from public places outside shopping centres. Council will list details of seized trolleys below for 14 days.
| Date and time removed | Seizure location and trolley description | Storage location | Date to be claimed by | Council contact and reference number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| * | * | * | * | * |
* There are currently no seized trolleys.
Claiming a seized trolley
To claim a seized trolley, the owner must:
- prove ownership or right to possession
- waive any right of action against Council for confiscation or damage
- pay costs associated with seizure, storage, repairing any damage caused and fees for retaking possession
- take steps to prevent further removal from the precinct.
To start the process, phone Council on 07 3403 8888 and quote the reference number listed with the seizure notice.
Unclaimed trolleys
Unclaimed trolleys may be sold, auctioned or otherwise disposed of at Council's discretion.
