Residents are up in arms over an area littered with abandoned shopping trolleys.
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On Saturday afternoon, 25 trolleys could be found along Marigold Street between Primrose and Aster Streets, Wendouree, some connected, some upside down. One was full of vegetation; another was damaged. The metalic escapees were from Woolworths, Coles, Kmart, Aldi, Spotlight, BCF, and NQR.
A young father of two, aged 3 and 5, speaking on the proviso of anonymity, is angry.
"They're forever there," he said, pointing to a playground. "I've always got to move the trolleys so we can play."
The father laid blame on lazy shoppers, but also wants more action from those at Stockland Wendouree.
"They walk halfway up to their house, they get their groceries out, and they just leave them," he said.
According to another local, who also asked not to be identified, the problem has existed for at least three years.
"The trolleys make the neighbourhood look filthy," the local said. "People dump their hard rubbish. Even once the trolleys are collected, the hard rubbish stays."
The upset resident wants action, suggesting the trolleys should become inoperable once past a particular point.
"The trolleys should have a wheel lock," he said.
In addition, the resident would like to see greater responsibility taken by the council and businesses.
"It is illegal dumping on council property. The council doesn't appear to be doing anything about it," the man said. "The trolley collection companies are supposed to pick them up once every fortnight, yet I see the same trolleys sitting there for months."
The proud community member feels the eyesore further damages the reputation of his suburb.
"The impression I get is, 'Hey, this is Wendouree. You can do what you want when you want'," he said. "It does nothing to help the stigma that Wendouree has."
Deputy Mayor Amy Johnson is aware of the problem.
"In 2011, council introduced a by-law that all trolleys must be fitted with a coin-operated locking mechanism," Cr Johnson said. "(However) the issue still persists and we must get better at ensuring businesses are responsible for the timely collection of their trolleys.
"We have the capacity to collect abandoned trolleys and, where we can identify the owner, we can issue a fine. Alternatively, residents can call the relevant trolley collection hotline. I'll be requesting that council immediately increase surveillance and collection of dumped trolleys across Ballarat".
Stockland Wendouree was contacted for comment, but did not respond.
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