Latest news with #StuartMcKenzie
ABC News
3 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Queensland snake catcher warns public that killing snakes risks huge fines
Readers are advised this story contains an image that some people may find distressing. A Sunshine Coast-based snake catcher was called for assistance to relocate a red-bellied black snake on a resident's property. By the time the crew arrived, the snake was dead. They say it had been chopped in half. The incident has been reported to the Queensland Environment Department, which confirmed to the ABC it is investigating, and wasn't able to provide further comment. It's prompted a warning from Stuart McKenzie from Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers, who described the killing of any snake as unnecessary. "Snakes don't need to be killed, and there's always an alternative," Mr McKenzie said. A post on social media about the incident prompted a massive response and divided opinions. A spokesperson for the Environment Department said it would be "inappropriate" to make any further comment on this specific matter. But under state law, it's an offence to kill a snake, and doing so can attract a fine of more than $16,000. According to the department, Queensland is home to about 120 species of snakes, with about 65 per cent of these being venomous. It advises against killing a snake not only because it's illegal to do so, but because it "places you at a higher risk of being bitten if you force the snake to defend itself". Its official advice is: If you encounter a snake, don't panic. Back away to a safe distance and allow the snake to move away. Snakes often want to escape when disturbed. When left alone, snakes present little or no danger to people. Mr McKenzie said people placed themselves in more danger of being bitten if they tried to kill a snake. "People think that … you know, chopping the snake in half is protecting everybody," he said. He advises keeping a safe distance and letting it move on, or, calling for help if needed. Commercial snake catchers are licensed to remove and relocate snakes that are found on people's properties. As urban sprawl continues, Mr McKenzie said interactions between snakes and humans were becoming increasingly common in south-east Queensland. His main piece of advice was for people to stay as calm as possible and try not to interact with the snake. If it's in the house, Mr McKenzie advised getting everyone out of the house until someone could get there to help. "In the time it takes you to run outside to the shed, find a shovel, run back in and try and chase after the snake, you could have got all your family and pets outside in that time," he said. "[That way] you're not putting yourself in danger. You're not putting your kids in danger." And if it's outside, he advises going inside and shutting the door as well as keeping pets in. "It's honestly that simple," he said. Queensland's Health Department advises that in the event of a snake bite, people should call triple-0, and the person who has been bitten should lie down while awaiting an ambulance. The department says all snake bites should be treated as dangerous.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Carlisle firm opens new distribution centre in Longtown
Alastair and Stuart McKenzie outside K&S McKenzie's new Longtown Distribution Centre (Image: Supplied) A Carlisle firm has opened a new distribution centre in Longtown. K&S McKenzie, a family-owned business, has expanded to its third location. The company, which first opened in 1968, has been based on the Kingstown Industrial estate since 1972. Five years ago, the business opened its second premises, the Tool Centre store. The new distribution centre in Longtown is the latest addition, opening this month. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The centre is a significant step forward for both the business and its customers. K&S McKenzie has seen steady growth since its beginnings. The business has expanded to its third location (Image: Supplied) Founded by Keith and Sarah McKenzie, the business is now run by their sons, Stuart and Alastair McKenzie. They have continued to evolve the business to meet customer needs. Stuart McKenzie said: "Our parents instilled in us the importance of adaptability and opportunity. "We've carried forward their ethos and focused on creating spaces that serve our customers better, while also paving the way for future generations." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The opening of the Longtown distribution centre has created five new jobs, bringing the total number of employees to around 40. The new facility has 16,500 square feet of internal storage and a 1.23-acre concrete yard. This more than doubles the size of the business. The Longtown facility also provides employees with a modern workspace, including a larger training room for staff development, CPC courses, and supplier-led talks. The increase in space allows for smoother stock management and dispatch across all depots and directly to customers across the UK. The centre also features an AdBlue line, capable of delivering 5,000 litres per hour. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement This is a significant improvement over previous capabilities. Stuart McKenzie added: "This new distribution centre is more than just a building - it's a testament to the journey we've been on as a family business. "From my parents' vision to the next generation stepping forward with my son Brandon looking to take the reins within the next five years, we've always embraced change and looked for new opportunities to grow." The business is looking forward to continuing its upward trajectory.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Coles reveals shift for shoppers, warning over concerning snake trend, top cop calls it a day after 45 years
Hello and welcome to Yahoo's live news blog this Monday. Coles has shared interesting data revealing how shoppers are changing their habits as cost-of-living pressures continue for millions around the country. Australians have been urged not to approach snakes as one of the country's leading snake catchers says encounters are on the rise. Stuart McKenzie believes urbanisation is to blame and says a bit more common sense is needed. Find out more below. Follow along as we bring you regular updates throughout the day. We hope this bloke's not scared of spiders. A Sydney tradie has recorded the moment a huntsman quickly scurries onto the neck of a scooter rider as he waited at a set of traffic lights in Randwick. "F*** that... I'd die," one person said, summing up the general sentiment in the comments section. Take a look at the unfortunate moment below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Its Called Straya 🇦🇺 (@its_called_straya) A recent survey of Coles customers shows cost-of-living pressures are heavily influencing their shopping habits. The survey of shoppers through January showed that one in three customers are turning their back on meat, purchasing less expensive proteins like eggs instead, The Australian reported. Nearly half of shoppers are making an effort to buy cheaper brands while 58 per cent are using specials more to lower the cost of their shop. One in three are also making big batches of food more, allowing them to freeze meals for future dinners. One of the country's leading snake catchers says more and more people moving to Queensland is leading to a rise in dangerous encounters with snakes. Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers owner Stuart McKenzie has pleaded with people moving to the state to not approach snakes. "With the urban sprawl up here and so much development happening and so many people moving to South East Queensland, I think the snake confrontations are definitely increasing," he told ABC News Breakfast on Monday. "A lot of [dealing with a snake] comes down to common sense, and just respecting that animal. Just because it's in your yard doesn't mean it's after you or you kids or your pets or anything like that." McKenzie reminded Australians the safest option is to call a snake catcher to handle the situation and he urged people struggling financially to still make that call. "We don't have to come out every single time. We do charge fees and obviously at the moment times are a bit tough and money is tight for people, but at least give us a call and we can discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan," he said. "The main thing is do not touch them or try to relocate themselves yourselves." Victoria is set to recruit a new police boss after an embattled chief resigned days after a majority of his workforce declared no confidence in his leadership. Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said on Sunday night that he had advised the Victorian government he had decided to step away from the role "effective immediately". "It is with a heavy heart that I have made this decision, however I think it is the right one to allow fresh leadership in the role," he said in a statement. After more than 45 years of serving the community with Victoria Police, he had "utmost pride" in the organisation. Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent would step into the role "as soon as practicable" until a replacement was chosen, Premier Jacinta Allan said in a statement on Sunday. Read more here. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. We hope this bloke's not scared of spiders. A Sydney tradie has recorded the moment a huntsman quickly scurries onto the neck of a scooter rider as he waited at a set of traffic lights in Randwick. "F*** that... I'd die," one person said, summing up the general sentiment in the comments section. Take a look at the unfortunate moment below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Its Called Straya 🇦🇺 (@its_called_straya) A recent survey of Coles customers shows cost-of-living pressures are heavily influencing their shopping habits. The survey of shoppers through January showed that one in three customers are turning their back on meat, purchasing less expensive proteins like eggs instead, The Australian reported. Nearly half of shoppers are making an effort to buy cheaper brands while 58 per cent are using specials more to lower the cost of their shop. One in three are also making big batches of food more, allowing them to freeze meals for future dinners. One of the country's leading snake catchers says more and more people moving to Queensland is leading to a rise in dangerous encounters with snakes. Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers owner Stuart McKenzie has pleaded with people moving to the state to not approach snakes. "With the urban sprawl up here and so much development happening and so many people moving to South East Queensland, I think the snake confrontations are definitely increasing," he told ABC News Breakfast on Monday. "A lot of [dealing with a snake] comes down to common sense, and just respecting that animal. Just because it's in your yard doesn't mean it's after you or you kids or your pets or anything like that." McKenzie reminded Australians the safest option is to call a snake catcher to handle the situation and he urged people struggling financially to still make that call. "We don't have to come out every single time. We do charge fees and obviously at the moment times are a bit tough and money is tight for people, but at least give us a call and we can discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan," he said. "The main thing is do not touch them or try to relocate themselves yourselves." Victoria is set to recruit a new police boss after an embattled chief resigned days after a majority of his workforce declared no confidence in his leadership. Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said on Sunday night that he had advised the Victorian government he had decided to step away from the role "effective immediately". "It is with a heavy heart that I have made this decision, however I think it is the right one to allow fresh leadership in the role," he said in a statement. After more than 45 years of serving the community with Victoria Police, he had "utmost pride" in the organisation. Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent would step into the role "as soon as practicable" until a replacement was chosen, Premier Jacinta Allan said in a statement on Sunday. Read more here.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Chilling discovery inside snake sparks warning to Aussies: 'Important to remember'
Australians have been served a chilling reminder about the brutality of nature, after a beloved family cat was swallowed whole by a hungry carpet python. The upsetting situation unfolded on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland this week, with a snake-catching crew called out to a resident's home after a "confrontation" between a carpet python and the homeowner's cat turned ugly. While these scenes are undeniably heartbreaking for the family, the attending crew from Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers encouraged Australians to accept that the snake was merely trying to survive. Such behaviours are a "natural instinct" for snakes, and as urban sprawl reduces their natural habitat, they are increasingly forced to source meals elsewhere, including on properties, they said. The team added that people should steer clear if they spot one. "If you see a snake, keep a safe distance," Snake Catcher Stuart McKenzie earlier told Yahoo News. "You can give it a chance to move on itself if it's outside. Obviously, if it's inside, you definitely need a professional to come and relocate it." 🐳 Incredible photos capture orcas in 'amazing but sad' moment 🙀 Snake chokes cat in 'terrifying' sight 🐍 Warning to Aussies after dad captures deadly snake on driveway On Thursday, there was little the team could do to save the cat from its untimely fate. "Our crew arrived when it was just starting to swallow the cat, and offered to interfere and remove the cat so the homeowner had the chance to bury it," Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers shared. In an incredible act of selflessness, the homeowners allowed the snake to continue eating their pet as it was "too late to save it". "They didn't want their cat to die for nothing," the online post continued. "In this situation, it is easy to get angry at the snake, but it's important for us all to remember that this is natural and instinctual. "Neither animals are at fault. The cat was well and truly deceased before the snake started swallowing it simply from the constriction pressure, so there was nothing we could have done." The grisly scenario prompted a warning to all Australians to "always try your best to snake proof your pet enclosures" and "supervise when possible" if they are outside. The snake catchers added that they shared the tragic story in an attempt to raise awareness and remind pet owners that "this can happen". Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Giant Python Causes 'Quite the Fright' After Slithering into Home's Barbecue Grill
Barbecues were briefly paused at a house in Australia after the owners found a lengthy python curled up in their grill. According to a Jan. 23 Facebook post from Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7, someone contacted the snake removal service looking to have a python pulled from their barbecue. Snake catcher Stuart McKenzie responded to the call from the home in Queensland, Australia, per UPI. Upon arriving at the residence, McKenzie found a carpet python tangled up inside the home's barbecue despite the grill being stored with the lid closed. "Proof that keeping your bbq lid closed won't stop em' from getting in!" Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 wrote about the BBQ intruder in the post's caption. Related: Family Discovers 'Deadly' Snake Hiding Under Child's Toy on Christmas The social media post also included a video of McKenzie removing the non-venomous python from the grill. The clip opens with the snake's lower half dangling in the cupboard under the barbeque. As the video continues, the python gradually hauls its tail into the grill. The clip then cuts to McKenzie removing a piece of the barbecue to get a better view of the reptile. With the snake in sight, McKenzie uses a hook to help maneuver it out of the grill. The video of the quick removal ends with McKenzie holding up the sizable python before slipping it into a bag. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Although this snake was quite easy to get a hold of from the beginning if Stu was to do so, the snake would've held on tight with the top half of its body and gotten quite the fright!" Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 explained in its post, referring to why McKenzie chose to approach the snake from the head, not the tail. Related: Man Finds 'Highly Venomous' Snake Hiding in His Car During Shopping Trip According to Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7's website, the snakes the service removes are relocated to less populated areas. The barbecue owners who faced the python are far from the only homeowners to encounter an unexpected snake in their residences. A man from Adelaide, Australia, recently returned home from a trip to find a venomous eastern brown snake had started living in his house while he was gone. The man believes his pet cat tried to bite the reptile while he was away. Luckily, the cat and the snake are fine, and the latter was removed and relocated from the home. Read the original article on People
