Newcastle News

A man has been forced to jump for his life, after his boat burst into flames on Lake Macquarie. The fierce inferno saw more than a hundred diners flee the busy marina during the lunchtime rush.

A person’s DNA is complex, but what if you could put generations of a family together in a single portrait? A Lake Macquarie artist is capturing family trees through a camera lens – showing just how dominant physical traits can be. TO BE INVOLVED: See Carla’s Facebook page here.

Dozens of vessels were decked out in lights at Lake Macquarie overnight, as the ‘Float Your Boat’ event sailed across the water. The bright installations came in all shapes, colours and sizes…with this 14-metre mermaid certainly drawing a crowd. The event is designed to encourage locals to enjoy the lake’s beauty in winter. Glowing boats can be spotted at Warners Bay, Eleebana and Valentine tonight, before docking at Belmont. Vision: Lake Macquarie City Council

Newcastle’s Park and Ride service is set for a re-jig, with extra afternoon buses announced. From July 2, a return service will start at 3pm in the city, with buses every 15 minutes until 6:30 in the evening. Newcastle City Council says more than 1,500 commuters are registered, with around 30,000 passenger trips since November. Other changes to parking at McDonald Jones Stadium, and paying for the park-and ride service, will come into effect from Monday.

Dramatic scenes have played out at Lake Macquarie this afternoon, with a boat bursting into flames at Belmont. WATCH MORE: BOAT INFERNO TAKES HOLD ON LAKE MACQUARIE Emergency services were called to the scene at the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club, at around 1:10pm following reports of an explosion. Witnesses have told NBN News a man was forced to jump from the boat, with patrons at the club evacuated. The 59-year-old Belmont man was treated at the scene by paramedics for burns to his face and hands. He was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition. The latest from the scene at Lake Macquarie Yacht Club – a man in his 50s transferred to John Hunter Hospital with burns to his upper body. I’ll have all the details tonight at 6pm on @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/47JXucnpCQ — Samantha Long (@SamanthaLongNBN) June …

When Keith Goodbun grabbed a rifle and murdered his partner at Maitland in 2016, he not only ignored an AVO, but committed the shocking crime in front of his daughter. Today Goodbun’s sentence hearing in Sydney heard he had destroyed the life of another of his daughters as well.

Second-hand clothing isn’t considered high-fashion, but a group of students from the Hunter Institute of Fashion is challenging that. Earlier today, NBN News was given a sneak peek at this year’s graduation runway – where clothes from Lifeline have been used to create couture pieces. “Focusing on the war against fast fashion…this is really about getting people to initially think about where they’re buying their fashion from right from the get go,” Jason Fox from Lifeline says. The main event is underway in Newcastle tonight. (VISION WITH AUDIO IN PARTS)

It’s no secret Newcastle boasts a spectacular coastline, but not many of us get to see it from the reverse angle. Now a young entrepreneur is making his mark on the local tourism scene, by showing people the city and its surrounds – from the water.

Planning for Maitland’s new hospital has taken another step forward, with an Environmental Impact Statement going on public display. The community can now have its say on building, public transport and traffic plans for the Metford site. To be built at an estimated cost of more than $450-million, the hospital will feature emergency, chemotherapy, mental health, maternity and palliative care services. READ MORE: PLANS UNVEILLED FOR MAITLAND HOSPITAL RELATED: NEW MAITLAND HOSPITAL TO REMAIN IN PUBLIC HANDS

Thousands of Hunter drivers will now have an easier commute, with the duplication of Newcastle’s Tourle Street Bridge finished, six months early. More than 30,000 vehicles use the span each day. “Look, I’m told it’s about a 20 minute saving in some of those peak time bottlenecks, obviously that’s great so it’s more efficient.” The $100-million project was funded by the state and federal governments. (AUDIO IN PARTS)