Latest news with #Kellyville
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Yahoo
Search in Aussie bush for 'underrated predator' too dangerous to keep in zoos
On the weekend, a 21-year-old man was inspired to head out into the night and brave the pouring rain after he was tipped off that a tiny but dangerous predator could be living in the Australian bush. Gabriel Saadie's objective was to search for evidence of wild hedgehogs in the western Sydney suburb of Kellyville, specifically in the forest close to Cattai Creek Bridge. Although hedgehogs are cute and popular with collectors, they're illegal to keep in Australia because they gobble up almost any small, native animal they can fit into their mouths. They're of such concern that zoos don't keep them, and they're registered as a prohibited pest. 'I heard [that] about three years ago an illegal collector released his hedgehogs into the bush in Kellyville. It's obviously not very good,' Gabriel told Yahoo News Australia. 'There's a chance they're out there, still alive.' Illegal hedgehogs found in three Australian states Hedgehogs are not native to Australia, but there are 17 species of hedgehog living across Asia, Africa and Europe. If any were to become established in the wild, they could cost the agriculture industry billions by infecting livestock with foot-and-mouth disease, or even harm humans by spreading salmonella, Q-fever, or toxoplasmosis. Sightings of hedgehogs in the wild are reported from time to time, and several have been seized and destroyed in NSW, Queensland and Victoria. In 2024, rumours spread around the northern Sydney suburb of Mosman that a pair had been spotted close to a park, although this could not be substantiated. In New Zealand, spiky creatures have also caused widespread environmental harm. Described as the nation's most 'underrated predators', they prey on scores of wild birds' eggs, chicks, lizards, frogs, and invertebrates. Today, more than 75 per cent of the country's indigenous reptile, bird, bat, and freshwater fish species are threatened with extinction, and hedgehogs continue to play a major role in the demise of many. Plan hatched to search for hedgehogs Gabriel first headed into the bushland around Kellyville during the day, but because the animals are generally more active at night, he was unable to find any. So after the sun set on Sunday, he donned a raincoat and braved the wild weather. Unfortunately, the conditions were not favourable. 'I was out there maybe a couple of hours. It was pouring down. It wasn't fun. It was freezing cold,' he said. But Saadie is not ruling out returning once the weather clears. He's also considering setting trail cameras as they can be useful in documenting animals scared off by the presence of humans. Incredible and 'rare' phenomenon on rugged Aussie beach vanishes within 24 hours Signs of million-year-old ancient humans found on Australia's doorstep Solution to Great Barrier Reef problem as new report released What if the hedgehogs are found? Gabriel has been posting videos chronicling the search for hedgehogs on his TikTok channel, which focuses on exploring wildlife around Sydney's fringes. Despite not having a background in ecology, he's driven by a deep fascination in nature, and he's growing a loyal following. 'The amount of biodiversity out there is just incredible. Looking at these animals, for a very long time I didn't pay much attention to them. But once you start looking, you realise they all have their own lives,' he said. 'There's a whole world out there that we don't pay attention to. We are just caught up with the hustle and bustle of the modern world, and we don't appreciate nature as much as we should, and how important it is to our lives.' It's Gabriel's love of nature that's helped inspire his dogged search for the hedgehogs. He'd hate to see them become commonplace like foxes, horses, goats, pigs, cats, and deer, which are known to trash Australia's fragile ecosystems. Although hedgehogs are cute, if he were to spot one, he'd catch it and report the find to the authorities. 'At the end of the day, you have to get rid of them if we want to protect our own ecosystem, our own native animals,' Gabriel said. Have hedgehogs become established in Australia? Speaking generally about problems with hedgehogs in Australia, the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPIRD) confirmed there have been instances of their illegal importation, collection, and sale. 'It is important to understand that hedgehogs are not permitted for import to Australia due to their biosecurity risks, and no Australian zoos keep hedgehogs,' a spokesperson said. 'Although, there is no information available to indicate hedgehogs have established feral populations in Australia — the key message to provide is that any sightings or information in relation to unusual exotic animals (including hedgehogs) detected in NSW should be reported to NSW DPIRD.' Anyone who wishes to report a hedgehog sighting in NSW can do so here. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
9 News
10-07-2025
- Business
- 9 News
Major change coming to Woolworths supermarket aisles
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here BREAKING Multiple pedestrians hit by car in Melbourne Woolworths is expanding its digital supermarket trolley rollout, allowing thousands of customers to track their spending in real-time. The trolleys were first introduced across 10 stores in NSW in August last year as a part of trial. Woolworths is expanding the roll-out of its digital supermarket trolley, allowing thousands of customers to track their spending in real-time. (Woolworths) Shoppers with an Everyday Rewards card can unlock a tablet-style device from a charging wall at the front of the store and attach it to their trolley to start shopping. The device will allow shoppers to track their spending in real-time and pack their groceries as they go. When shoppers are ready to check out with the trolleys, they will be able to head to the self-service checkout to pay for their shop. Shoppers with an Everyday Rewards card can unlock a tablet-style device from a charging wall at the front of the store and attach it to their trolley. (Woolworths) The digital trolleys were first rolled out at 10 NSW stores including Kellyville, Kellyville Grove, Kellyville North, Lane Cove, North Parramatta, Oran Park, Schofields Town Centre, The Ponds, Warringah Mall and Windsor. This month, the trolleys will launch at Woolworths supermarkets in Neutral Bay Village, Richmond, Menai, Mortdale, Revesby, Hornsby, Rutherford, Kotara, Green Hills and Erina. In Victoria, the digital supermarket trolleys will be available this month at Chirnside Park, Malvern, Mornington East, Rye, St Helena and Thrift Park. The Moonee Ponds store will receive the trolleys in September. Eight Queensland stores will receive the trolleys this month, including Burleigh Heads, Caloundra, Capalaba Park, Currimundi, Nambour, Noosa, Northlakes and Warner. Following the success of Scan&Go, Coles announced a trial of digital Smart Trolleys to "help shoppers save time, manage their budgets and checkout faster" in partnership with Instacart in November last year. "Our customers have responded positively to the Smart Trolley shopping experience, praising its real-time spend tracking to manage their budget, the convenience of packing as they shop, and the ability to streamline the checkout process so they can pay on the trolley and go," a spokesperson said. The smart trolleys are currently being trialled at Coles Richmond Traders in Melbourne. CONTACT US
The Australian
08-07-2025
- The Australian
Kellyville, Sydney: Police investigate shots fired into house while three people inside
Three people – including a two-year-old child – have managed to escape unscathed after their Sydney home was sprayed with bullets overnight in what police are calling a 'targeted attack'. Police were called to a property on Janamba Ave in Kellyville at about 3am on Tuesday after reports someone had fired several shots into a house. Police are investigating after shots were fired at a house in Sydney's northwest, while two people were inside. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Shots were fired through the windows of the home, with police now establishing a crime scene in the suburban street. Three people were inside at the time of the shooting, including a man and a woman in their 30s and a two-year-old child. Bullets peppered the home in Sydney's north west. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard No one was injured during the incident. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard No one was injured in the incident. A short time later, police were called to a car fire on Gorman Ave in Kellyville. The car was destroyed in the blaze. 'The fire is being treated as suspicious and inquiries have commenced into the circumstances surrounding the incident,' police said in a statement. A neighbour told Today he had been asleep before hearing loud noises ring through the street. 'I just like, heard some noises, like banging on metal or something like that,' he said. Three people were inside the house at the time of the shooting. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard A two-year-old child was inside at the time of the incident. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard On Tuesday, Detective Superintendent Moore told reporters they believe the incident was a 'targeted attack'. She said she believed the residents of the home that was sprayed with bullets had only recently moved into the house. Police believe the residents heard noises outside their door and went out to investigate before the shots were fired. 'They went to investigate and I believe at that point there was a confrontation, or a discussion at least at the front door, before shots were fired,' she said. 'We do believe this was a targeted attack.' Police are searching for three or four people following the incident. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard She said police were also searching for three or four people anda second vehicle, which the offenders may have used to flee the scene. However, police are yet to confirm the colour or model of the vehicle. Superintendent Moore described the gunmen as 'reckless'. 'They have no regard for the community, they have no regard for the occupants of the home, and more broadly the street and the suburb,' she said. She recognised it was a 'challenging time' for those living in the area and urged them to review CCTV and dashcam footage for more information. 'While we're doing everything we can, be vigilant,' she said. 'Look back at your CCTV footage and … assist with the investigation.' A burnt-out car was found a few streets away. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Police are searching for the alleged offenders. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard It comes shortly after a spate of shootings across Sydney's suburbs in recent weeks. At least 10 bullets were fired at a home in North Kellyville - believed to have been wrongly targeted - at about 11pm on June 25, shattering the glass balcony of the house. Inside were three people - a 44-year-old man, a 48-year-old woman and an 18-year-old man. Police said the trio were not known to them and it was likely not the intended address. 'People have been targeted wrongfully, their lives have been turned upside down overnight,' Superintendent Moore said at the time. Police were investigating whether the two incidents were linked. 'It's too early for me to say what those links are - one would argue from proximity that there could potentially be a link,' Superintendent Moore told reporters. Another shooting was reported at about 1am on Thursday, when police were called to a house in Concord after reports it had been sprayed with bullets. No one was home at the time of the shooting. A few days earlier on June 27 shortly before 10pm, police were called to Hickeys Lane in Penrith after reports a man had been shot. Police said a man, believed to be in his 20s, was shot while sitting inside his car, and was transported to hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. A short while later, a car was set alight in the nearby suburb of Claremont Meadows. No charges have been laid in connection with any of these incidents. Anyone with information or CCTV footage of the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Kellyville house is sprayed with bullets in early morning shooting - as getaway car is found torched nearby
Shots have been fired into a Sydney home where a young family was sleeping. Police were called to Janamba Avenue, Kellyville in the city's north-west shortly after 3am on Tuesday following reports of a shooting. A man and woman aged in their 30s and a two-year-old child were home at the time but were unharmed. Bullets caused damage to the front door of the home. A short time later, emergency services were called to Gorman Avenue, Kellyville following reports of a car fire. Police are expected to provide an update later on Tuesday morning.
News.com.au
07-07-2025
- News.com.au
Shots fired into Kellyville home while three people inside, car torched nearby
A manhunt is under way after a Sydney home was sprayed with bullets while three people - including a young child - were inside. Police were called to a property on Janamba Ave in Kellyville at about 3am on Tuesday after reports someone had fired several shots into a house. Shots were fired through the windows of the home, with police now establishing a crime scene in the suburban street. Three people were inside at the time of the shooting, including a man and a woman in their 30s and a two-year-old child. No one was injured in the incident. A short time later, police were called to a car fire on Gorman Ave in Kellyville. The car was destroyed in the blaze. 'The fire is being treated as suspicious and inquiries have commenced into the circumstances surrounding the incident,' police said in a statement.
