Lawrie Schache, Sharon Coombs relive Patchs Beach flood devastation

A secluded beachside hamlet south of Ballina is a scene of devastation as flood victims wonder if they have the will to keep fighting. Here are their stories.

Lawrie Schache lost his arm 30 years ago in a concreting accident in Nyngan.

Three years ago he battled drought on his property.

Now he thinks floods will do him over for good.

The 74-year old self described “jack-of-all trades” has seen his life’s work washed away in a devastating natural disaster.

Lawrie Schache stands next to the ruins of his River Drive property in Patchs Beach Picture: Nicholas Rupolo.

His River Drive property in the secluded Patchs Beach stares at the Richmond River but last week it stared back and took everything he had.

The devastation is visible from hundreds of metres away but the true impact is revealed by stepping closer through the squelching mud.

His boathouse has become completely detached from his home and sunk into the mud as if a tank had blown it to pieces.

Mr Schache’s boathouse was obliterated in the floods but it was saved from being swept into the river. Picture: Nicholas Rupolo.

The only reason he still managed to keep his boathouse on the property was because he waded through waist deep flood water to chain it to his forklift.

He and his 80-year old neighbour took a 100m dash to the home and managed to keep it in his front yard.

All his tractors, welding equipment and generators have been destroyed by raging flood water.

He doesn’t have insurance, he doesn’t have his equipment, or his car.

Mr Schache’s welding equipment is unusable along with most of his heavy machinery. Picture: Nicholas Rupolo.

Through his whimpering and with a tear in his eye, he is wondering what to do next.

“I’ve got enough money now to bury myself,” he said.

“Now I’ve lost everything, I’m a pensioner I don’t have money.”

The devastating flood waters were above the height of Mr Schache’s head. Picture: Nicholas Rupolo.

Mr Schache says he now knows what it feels like after bushfires, where he helped residents in the northern NSW town of Rappville seek refuge.

He says the difference is that fires leave nothing but floods will leave every last memory you have in a sodden mess in the mud.

The destruction has impacted Patchs Beach just as badly as those elsewhere in northern NSW.

The shock of the river rise is still fresh in residents’ minds as they look for answers as to how the Richmond River could flood and travel almost 3km to the sandbanks at the beach.

Nobody was safe from the flood damage and entire family homes have been ripped to pieces.

Homes in the Patchs Beach area had to be stripped of their walls to get rid of mould. Picture: Nicholas Rupolo.

In some homes entire walls have been removed and crops of sugarcane and cucumber are destroyed.

As you get closer to the sandbanks, Sharon Coombs stands on the roadside of her Sneesby Lane home.

Ropes and wires are being used to keep the extension of her house secure as if it at any moment it could collapse.

Sharon Coombs’s Sneesbys Lane property in Patchs Beach was covered in 3m of water. Picture: Nicholas Rupolo.

A former sewing professional, the registered nurse and midwife has been living in Patchs Beach for 18 years but has lost almost all her possessions including her old fabrics and valuables.

Rain gushed into the corner of her shed where the tin roof collapsed as she took refuge on Friday.

Mrs Coombs has had time to process the disaster but remains dumbfounded and in need of financial support.

She is disappointed the federal government did not extend disaster payments to Ballina Shire from the beginning when he announced part of his flood recovery package on Wednesday.

Mrs Coombs’ home suffered significant damage which is being tied down by ropes to stop it from collapsing. Picture: Nicholas Rupolo.

“(If I had the payments) I’d be able to be able to live, pay the mortgage, I don’t have a job at the moment, I’ve got four kids, how do you survive?” she said.

“We’ve lost a lifetime of belongings now everyone needs support.”

Mrs Coombs said she was a supporter of the Prime Minister but was disappointed by his handling of the flood crisis.

However, the opportunity for Ballina Shire residents to receive funding isn’t off the table.

The National Recovery and Resilience Agency there was a possibility that other local government areas could have their payments extended although assessments needed to take place.

Those assessments include the how many people in flood area, the extent of the flood, the number of people who have already applied for the disaster payment and the “number of residential homes that have been rated as moderately or severely damaged, or destroyed”.

If you or anyone you know is struggling please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.