BREAKING! Yachtsman Escapes After Vessel Explodes Off Vales Point

 BY IAN CROUCH

A yachtsman has managed to jump clear of his vessel after it exploded in flames last night in southern Lake Macquarie.

Newcastle Fire Command says crews were called to Vales Point just before 9.00pm to find a 30 foot yacht on fire about 350 metres from shore.

The yacht's owner, who was the only person on board, managed to swim to shore and wasn't injured.

An RFS boat, Marine Rescue, Water Police and PolAir were all sent to the scene.

Despite the efforts of firefighters, the vessel burnt to waterline and sank.

RFS crews at the scene were told as many as 5 explosions occurred when the vessel went up in flames.

A salvage operation is expected to get under way this morning. 

The cause of the blaze is yet to be confirmed. 

 

An RFS boat was called in to fight the fire

 

Police Search For Missing Man In The Upper Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for help to find a man who's gone missing in the Upper Hunter.

65-year-old Shane Amidy was last seen at his home in Cullingral Street at Merriwa on July 14.

He's believed to be travelling in a 2006 Silver Ford Falcon sedan with the registration number YCI 85P.

Shane is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180 cm tall with a medium build and black hair with a goatee.

Missing Man Shane Amidy

NSW Government Moves To Shut Down Hunter 'Zombie" Gas Licences

 BY IAN CROUCH

After pressure from landowners and the NSW Greens, the state government has moved to prohibit gas exploration on large tracts of land across regional NSW.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Resources, John Barilaro has confirmed the government has given effect to its Future of Gas Statement, with historic amendments to the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), delivering a 77 per cent reduction in areas available for gas exploration in NSW.

He says gas exploration and production in 16 Local Government Areas is now prohibited.

These include the Central West, Orana, New England North West and Hunter regions.

The exception is the Narrabri Gas Project, where the remaining active Petroleum Exploration Licences (PELs) will be allowed to continue.

John Barilaro says the Narrabri project is crucial for regional economies and vital for manufacturers and heavy energy users while keeping power prices down.

"Not only will the project supply about half of our domestic gas, it will also create 1350 jobs during construction and 200 ongoing local jobs, and generate up to $3 billion in direct revenue for the NSW and Commonwealth governments through royalties and taxes." he said.

The NSW Government has moved to prohibit gas exploration across vast tracts of regional land in the state. Picture newcastleherald.com.au