Sydney wild weather: Coogee SLSC ‘like a bomb site’

TONY Waller’s face says it all - the fireman and former Coogee Surf Lifesaving Club president said he choked up when he saw how badly the clubhouse had been hit by a storm surge.

Anthony Waller, current Governor and former President of Coogee SLSC inspects the damage in his capacity as a NSW Fire Brigade specialist team leader. Picture: Craig Wilson

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The look on his face says it all.

Tony Waller is part of the NSW Fire and Rescue team that deals with the aftermath of events like the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and the tsunami in Japan.

But for the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club governor and former president, the devastation wrought by the wild weather that lashed his “beloved clubhouse” on Sunday night was just as heartbreaking.

A five to six metre king tide slammed into the eastern wall of the club tearing it apart, smashing the windows, and throwing heavy gym equipment including weights, benches and treadmills around the room like toys, leaving bricks, sand, broken glass and sea debris in its wake.

NSW Fire & Rescue specialists working to shore up the eastern wall ahead of a second storm surge expected on Monday night. Picture: Craig Wilson

Standing in the middle of the devastation, Sydney City Station Officer Waller, a 35 year veteran of the fire brigade, was choked up.

“I just happened to be on duty when I got the call and came down to the club,” he said.

“I walked in here and I was near tears. I mean this is our club. it’s really upsetting.”

After getting the all clear from engineers, Waller’s Fire & Rescue NSW Urban Search and Rescue Capability team made shoring up the shattered eastern wall their top priority, amid fears it could collapse.

Fire & Rescue crews cleaning up the mess inside the gym at Coogee SLSC. Picture: Craig Wilson

“Our specialists have to make it safe for tonight — we’re expecting another storm surge,” Waller said.

Randwick SES spokesman Terry Pappas said the beach inspector’s office and the canteen were also completely inundated with water and sand.

“The upper coastal stairs and the walkway to the promenade have structural damage, and the area underneath the main promenade where the rescue boats are kept has also been demolished.

“It’s the same area that was destroyed this time last year.

Coogee SLSC president Mark Doepel said the 110 year old club is facing one of the greatest challenges in its history, but they’re up for it.

“This is one of the oldest clubs in Australia ... we are going to come together as members, and with the support of the community, we are determined to rebuild this club.”

Flood damage from the air as a result of the low pressure system that hammered Sydney and the East Coast over the weekend. Wylies Baths at Coogee looking like a washing machine. Picture: Toby Zerna

The damage bill is yet to be determined, with Randwick Council insurance assessors arriving on the scene early on Monday.

Coogee MP Bruce Notley-Smith said it’s hoped the structural integrity of the club house is enough that it can be saved.

“Premier Mike Baird has fast-tracked disaster declarations, so that will give local councils access to the money to get to work and fix these structures straight away,” he said.

“This is the worst disaster that has ever hit Coogee Surf Club, and we’ve got to get it back on its feet ... ensure they’re back in full swing by the summer season.”

Though visibly upset, Mr Doepel was looking to the future.

“If there is one silver lining to this incredible cloud that hangs over the surf club today, that is the fact the season has closed,” the club president said.

“The off season is usually a chance to rebuild ... this is certainly going to be our greatest challenge.”

The damaged exterior of the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club as seen from the air. Picture: Toby Zerna

The huge waves also left the foundation pillars of the old Coogee Pier exposed, and tore the capping off the pavers along the promenade.

Most of the sand on the main part of Coogee Beach has been eroded, while the damage at the northern end is said to be less severe.

A large amount of sand has also been washed away at Maroubra Beach.

Wild weather has severely damaged Coogee beach and the Surf Life Saving Club. Picture: Randwick City Council

102 mills of rain was recorded in Randwick yesterday, and 96 mills at Little Bay, with a severe weather warning for damaging surf still in place.

Parts of the Randwick Council area were also badly affected by the east coast low, with localised flooding recorded at Randwick and Kensington.

Four people were also rescued from their cars on Gardeners Rd and Coward St at Mascot after becoming trapped in the rising waters.

Waves battered Maroubra Beach taking away a massive amount of sand over the weekend. Picture: Carlos da Rocha

Dozens of people were also evacuated from a call centre at Mascot on Sunday night, where the water had risen to waist-deep level.

Randwick Botany SES responded to 180 calls for help on Saturday, the figure blowing out to 270 jobs on Sunday, mainly for roofs which had peeled back or were leaking.

The sand is barely visible at Coogee Beach after a king tide of up to six metres lashed the area, decimating the surf club. Picture: Randwick City Council.

They had 130 left on Monday. with 98 kilometre an hour winds on Sunday making it impossible for crews to complete some of the roof work.

Six local SES crews were also sent to Milperra, Lansvale and Liverpool to help with flood rescues after the Georges River broke its banks, helping to evacuate more than 80 residents.