Abandoned shopping trolleys have entered the community spotlight again with a Bathurst resident calling out the number of stray carts scattered along a busy CBD thoroughfare.
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Bathurst resident Kerry Hodge has brought attention to the number of stray trolleys left along Howick Street between two of the CBD's major shopping complexes.
Mr Hodge, who regularly performs as a busker outside the Bathurst City Centre, said the situation has become hazardous for parked cars and pedestrians.
"Just yesterday, a trolley rolled down the footpath and struck the side of my vehicle, causing the entire thing to shake," he said.
"The wind scatters the trolleys everywhere and while my vehicle was lucky enough to escape any major damage, it's only a matter of time until something more serious happens."
Mr Hodge said trolleys are left along the street every day, and has called for shoppers to be more conscientious towards trolley storage.
"The slope of the road also plays a role in the trolleys moving about freely, and there's a chance they could roll into oncoming traffic if they continue to go unchecked," he said.
"There's also the chance of one running into a young child and causing a serious injury.
"It's a classic example of laziness, and with many collection points only a short walk away, it shouldn't be that difficult."
Deputy mayor Bobby Bourke said despite the latest occurrence of abandoned trolleys, individuals and businesses have improved their response to the issue.
"They've been on top of things lately, but sometimes businesses don't get enough time over the weekend to conduct a thorough search of the streets for stray trolleys," Cr Bourke said.
"Bathurst Regional Council rangers often assist businesses with trolleys, but these incidents happen all the time once the trolleys are taken away from the shopping centres."
Cr Bourke led a council initiative last year to liaise with major retailers in order to determine a collective solution to the abandoned trolleys.
Other councilors who have been vocal for a reduction in stray trolleys include Warren Aubin, Jess Jennings, Alex Christian and Jacqui Rudge.
Councilors Aubin and Christian have separately suggested coin-operated locks are the way to go, while Cr Jennings believes GPS trackers would help cull the numbers of abandoned trolleys.
Cr Bourke said the trolley issue isn't unique to Bathurst.
"There's a stray trolley problem in every Australian town and as a community, we need to show more awareness towards the importance of returning trolleys to the right place," he said.
"The situation has improved around town, but if you were to visit the Bathurst Community Op Shop, you'd find anywhere up to a dozen trolleys that have been there for as long as three weeks."
"Individuals and businesses need to work together and adopt a careful approach towards the management of shopping trolleys throughout the community."