Media Releases

Shelley Hancock – Minister for Local Government

Saturday, 19 June 2021

From lost trolleys to stray trailers, the NSW Government is hosting workshops to finalise its comprehensive review of laws aiding local councils to protect their communities from safety hazards caused by abandoned items in public places.

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said the face-to-face and online workshops are designed to consult councils, government agencies, business and peak bodies about a stronger regulatory framework.

“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring local councils have strong powers to protect their communities from the safety hazards caused by abandoned and unattended items and livestock in public places,” Mrs Hancock said.

“The review aims to futureproof local residents and communities against long-term issues caused by abandoned shopping trolleys, boat trailers and stray stock on rural roads, but also emerging problems created by new technologies such as e-scooters and share bikes.

“The NSW Government has received 85 written submissions in response to its review discussion paper, which raised a wide range of issues, and these have been closely examined as consideration is given to changes to the Impounding Act.

“I look forward to the completion of the review and introducing changes to the Impounding Act in Parliament to ensure our laws continue to meet community needs and expectations.”

Member for Oatley Mark Coure said the upcoming workshops will cover a range of issues including shopping trolleys, livestock, vehicles, and boat trailers.

“There is nothing worse than an abandoned shopping trolley and that is why the NSW Government is continuing to undertake the first comprehensive review of the Impounding Act in more than 25 years,” Mr Coure said.

“We are committed to making sure we have safe, accessible and useable public spaces that the community can enjoy both now and into the future.

“In particular, shopping trolleys have continued to be a real concern to the community over time and it is clear that regulatory change will be necessary to address these issues.

“The NSW Government recognises that there are great supermarket operators out there and that voluntary options such as trolley trackers, trolley collectors, and coin deposit schemes have made a difference.

“The community has told us these voluntary options are not enough to fix the widespread issues.”

The Member for Oatley will chair two of this month’s workshops including shopping trolleys, and a discussion about cars and trailers.

MEDIA: Clayton Hopper | Minister Hancock | 0417 192 428 Caterina Polistina | Minister Hancock | 0439 196 539