Latest news with #RandwickCityCouncil
News.com.au
13-07-2025
- News.com.au
Paramedics rush 5yo girl to hospital after dog attack in Chifley, Sydney
A little girl is recovering in hospital following a vicious dog attack in Sydney on Sunday afternoon. Emergency services rushed to Mitchell Street in Chifley, near the city's southern beaches, on reports of a dog attack. The police officers found a five-year-old girl with a bite to her chest from the dog. 'The dog had been in the yard of a property the girl was attending,' the police said on Sunday afternoon. Paramedics treated the girl at the scene before taking her to Children's Hospital in Randwick for further treatment. She is in a stable condition, the police said. 'Rangers from Randwick City Council have seized the dog and will investigate the circumstances of the incident,' the police said.
Daily Mail
15-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Embarrassing blunder wrecks a touching beauty spot tribute to beloved swimmer: 'Does no-one check?'
A touching tribute to a Sydney woman overlooking her favourite swimming spot has baffled locals - with the heartfelt message suggesting she was born many tears after her death. The plaque, in honour of Julie Savage, who died last year on April 29, was placed on a bench overlooking Maroubra bay, in an eastern Sydney Suburb, but the sweet tribute included an alarming error. 'Jules loved Maroubra, she swam in the ocean and the pool and loved to walk this headland,' the tribute, written by her friend Cat, read. 'She soaked up the beauty of this precious place and respected that it was and always would be Aboriginal land.' 'Always Loved Cat,' the sweet testimony said, alongside Randwick City Council's logo. However, one eastern suburb local shared a picture of the plaque on a Maroubra FaceBook page after noting a mistake with the dates listed. Instead of printing Ms Savage's birth date as July 21, 1947, the plaque stated the year as 2047. 'Errrmmm… something not adding up here..,' Matthew Broome, who noticed the mistake, wrote. 'How does no one check these things and the item gets so far along to be placed and no one notices?' One asked. 'Not the person who printed it, not the person who installed it. Amazes me.' 'Maybe time travellers do exist,' another teased. 'Julie was the terminator,' a third light-heartedly commented. A friend of Ms Savage said she had informed Cat of the error and praised the local swimmer. 'Jules was an exceptional woman and a dear friend and is very much missed. Lovely words Cat,' Susie Spin wrote. Dylan Parker, Mayor of Randwick, confirmed he was aware of the mistake and would be rectifying it as soon as possible.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Council's innovative solution to quiet crisis in Aussie suburbs leads to exciting change
As Australia's cities continue to grow to keep up with the demands of our skyrocketing population, native wildlife populations are facing increasing pressure from threats such as habitat loss and predation from invasive species like cats and foxes. To bridge the gap, authorities are exploring new ways to support the survival of our wildlife, with everyday Aussies regularly being called on to help solve the growing issue. Planting nesting boxes can help backyards can become more hospitable to birds, possums, sugar gliders, microbats and insects. But in public spaces, more needs to be done. One inner-city council is now trialling innovative new technology to offer new shelter options for Aussie animals in public parks with exciting results. Randwick City Council recently announced a trial in partnership with the University of New South Wales whereby researchers are trialling two types of artificial tree hollows at the Randwick Environment Park in Sydney's East. In May, ten 3D-printed nesting boxes were installed, along with artificial hollows drilled into trees. Just weeks later, rainbow lorikeets were sighted nesting in one of the hollows. "When council collaborates with research institutions and other community groups, we can achieve real change for our community, native wildlife and environment," Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker. He called the move 'a significant step forward" in enhancing Sydney's biodiversity and urban wildlife conservation. 🪹 Aussies urged to make one 'critical' backyard change to combat national crisis 🏡 Woman's 'fantastic' garden solution to controversial problem in Aussie suburbs 🦊 Council under pressure as iconic species ravaged by invasive predator Aussies have long been urged to install simple nesting boxes to give native species a helping hand and provide much-needed shelter. However, the drawback with traditional nesting boxes made out of wood, according to council, is that they can often fall short because of poor insulation and limited durability. The UNSW-designed 3D printed nest boxes are made from long-lasting, weather-resistant plastic, which they say offers better thermal stability. Along with the plastic shelters, fake hollows were drilled into existing trees with a 'Hollowhog' tool that creates large internal cavities through small entry holes in both living and dead wood, which fast-tracks the natural process that creates hollows within trees, which can take centuries. As well as rainbow lorikeets, there are hopes that the new features will attract microbats, parrots, and smaller birds such as kingfishers and pardalotes. In the coming years, researchers will monitor the artificial hollows to determine their use by native animals. Habitat loss is a huge issue connected to housing and infastructure development. Roads and new housing developments encroaching on the habitats of native plants and animals and harming their populations in doing so. Clearing land and habitat trees leaves the hundreds of vertebrate species that rely on tree hollows without a home, exacerbating Australia's extinction crisis. Since European settlement, we have lost more mammal species than any other continent, with over 100 species declared extinct or extinct in the wild. Local governments elsewhere around the country have sought to boost the presence of nesting boxes and urged locals to join them. The City of Parramatta Council has installed over 450 nest boxes and roost boxes across the LGA while also using chainsaws to carve entrances in dead trees. What's more, researchers like Professor Sarah Bekessy from RMIT's Centre for Urban Research have been calling for a rethink of how urban areas can be shared with native plants and animals. 'At the moment we do development in a way that sees (nature) as a problem,' she told Yahoo News Australia. 'Biodiversity is actually seen as a 'constraint layer' rather than an opportunity we should maximise in the planning process. 'The evidence is now absolutely compelling that connection to nature is really critical for our health and for our mental wellbeing, for our physical wellbeing and for our immune response." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Aussie councils push for tougher fines for millions of pet owners amid worrying trend
Major city councils are calling on the state government to implement much tougher pet laws, including higher fines and stronger enforcement powers, amid a rise in irresponsible owner behaviour and attacks from dogs. Over the last 20 years Randwick City Council, in Sydney's east, has reported a sharp rise in dog attacks, from 900 in 2004 to an incredible 5,000 last year. It said pet owners have also dropped the ball, with reports that many had stopped picking up after their dogs, while failing to monitor them adequately at off-leash parks, particularly around children and wildlife. In response, as part of the state government's review into the Companion Animals Act 1998, Randwick has asked the NSW government for higher fines and stronger penalties. "Randwick City Council is calling for tougher pet laws, stronger enforcement powers and better education," it stated in a council meeting in late May. The submission, endorsed by councillors, also recommends mandatory cat containment, more public education on responsible pet ownership, and expanded powers for councils to act on dangerous dogs and nuisance animals. Roaming domestic cats can have a devastating impact on native wildlife, hunting and killing birds, reptiles, and small mammals, even when they're well-fed at home. In NSW, dog owners can be fined up to $330 for walking their pet off-leash in areas where it's not permitted, and $275 for failing to clean up after their dog. While councils enforce these fines, they do not set them independently — the amounts are dictated by state legislation. Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said the law currently states that a dog that attacks another dog attracts the same fine as when it attacks a child. "Clearly, that's not right," he told 9News. "Everyone loves their dog until something goes wrong, and that's why we want to make sure we get the rules right for the 21st century." Adjacent council Waverley is also joining the campaign, reportedly calling on pet owners who break the rules to attend training courses. "We encourage responsible pet ownership to ensure safety and that everyone, including our four-legged companions, can enjoy our parks and community," it said. Yahoo News Australia has contacted Randwick and Waverley councils for comment. New rule change legalises common pet act in graveyards Inner city suburb terrorised by roaming dogs as locals report attacks Aussie's five-year legal battle with council over pet dogs With an estimated 4.7 million cats and dogs in NSW alone, responsible pet ownership is crucial to minimising their impact on local ecosystems, public spaces, and community safety, both councils say. Pet ownership nationally experienced a significant surge during and directly after the Covid-19 pandemic, driven by lockdowns, remote work, and a collective search for companionship. Figures suggest households with pets rose from 61 per cent to 69 per cent. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
9 News
04-06-2025
- Health
- 9 News
Councils want bigger fines for poor 'pet etiquette'
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Randwick City Council has submitted an application to the NSW government to review the Companion Animals Act 1998, saying they want bigger fines and harsher penalties for dog owners caught doing the wrong thing. The application refers to "irresponsible" dog owners, including actions like "off-leash dogs harassing children or wildlife" and "owners neglecting to pick up droppings." Two Sydney councils want stricter penalties for dog owners. (Getty) They say they've seen a significant increase in dog attacks, from 900 reported attacks in 2004 to over 5000 in 2024. "Submissions from our community highlight a need for clearer rules and etiquette to guide dog handling in shared spaces," the submission reads. "Key expectations include keeping dogs under control at all times, respecting other people and animals and cleaning up after pets. "Unfortunately, these common-sense practices are not universally observed." Cat owners aren't out of the woods either, with the application saying the council's goal is to "move toward a norm of responsible cat ownership" It says cats should not be allowed to "roam and threaten wildlife or cause a nuisance." The council recommended "significantly higher fines" for those caught doing the wrong thing, specifically in instances of a dog attack. In NSW, the maximum fine a council can issue is $330 for breaking off-leash walking rules, while the fine for not picking up after your dog is $275. Waverly Council is also considering making the change, arguing tougher penalties are needed, as well as advocating for dog owners to attend pet ownership training classes. has reached out to Waverly Council for comment. national New South Wales Sydney CONTACT US
