The Queanbeyan SES dragged 24 shopping trolleys and an assortment of other objects out of the Queanbeyan River last weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council requested the SES remove the shopping trolleys which were clearly visible in the river.
Service Manager of Natural Landscapes at the council Natasha Abbott commended the work of the SES.
“Many thanks to the SES volunteers who did an amazing job,” she said.
“It is such a shame that this type of cleanup is required.”
Other items removed by the SES included several fishing lures and a bike.
Ms Abbott expressed concern over what such pollution could mean to the natural flora and fauna of the area including platypus.
Platypus are a highly vulnerable species and as they forage for food litter such as fishing line and trolleys can trap them, potentially injuring or killing them.
“We are lucky to see platypus swimming so close to our CBD and I think it’s great that people can enjoy this so close to town, but you can’t expect that to last if you don’t look after it,” Ms Abbott said.
The council asked residents to look after the river and all natural areas and to report trolleys to the responsible supermarkets.
To register trolleys found in Queanbeyan call the following numbers for collection:
Trolley Tracker: Call 1800 641497 for Woolworths, Big W or Dan Murphy’s or visit http://trolleytracker.com.au/Report
Coles Group: Call 1800 876 553 for Coles, Kmart or Target or visit https://www.coles.com.au/customer-service/abandoned-trolley
Aldi: Call 13-25-34 or fill out the following form https://www.customerservice.aldi.com.au/