In the face of growing community concern, retailers, council staff and councillors met last week to discuss how best to manage shopping trolleys in the Goulburn area.

The project manager for Trolley Tracker, Lyn Hall, said trolley collection had been stepped up in Goulburn and the number of units visible on the streets had been significantly reduced.

"But to further improve the streetscape, we need help from the general public," Mrs Hall said.

"Some 97 per cent of shoppers do the right thing and return their trolleys to the trolley bay in the store or car park. Less than three per cent act irresponsibly, probably because they have simply not thought too much about what they are doing," she said.

"Shoppers would not steal a packet of biscuits but many don't stop to think that taking a trolley home - or away from the store area is stealing too."

Mrs Hall said most people were taking their responsibilities seriously but those that were not should be reminded that there was a $220 fine for removing them from a shopping centre.

"If you see a trolley that has been abandoned however you can report it by ringing 1800 641 497 and providing the location of the lost unit so a collector can quickly retrieve it and return it to it's rightful place - in the trolley bay," Mrs Hall said.

Trolley Tracker, an information system to save trolleys, was launched for Woolworths in April 1996 and Coles, Franklins, Big W and Kmart in September 1997.

Mrs Hall said it had received more than 570,000 calls, which demonstrated just how many people cared enough to make a call and report a trolley.

Mrs Hall said callers were entered in a draw for the monthly $1000 open order reward.