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Paddington Bowling Club

The former Paddington Bowling Club will be transferred from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment – Crown Lands (Crown Lands) to the La Perouse Aboriginal Land Council (LALC).

Overview

As part of the successful land claim, the former Paddington Bowling Club building, its bowling greens and the adjoining tennis courts will also be transferred.

Former Paddington Bowling Club

Former Paddington Bowling Club

The NSW Government is a strong supporter of the Aboriginal land claims process to unlock economic, social and cultural outcomes and opportunities for Aboriginal communities.

This transfer also reflects the Crown Lands 2031 State Strategic Plan key priority to accelerate the realisation of Aboriginal land rights and native title in partnership with Aboriginal people, in which one outcome is to transfer land back to Aboriginal ownership.

The transfer of 7,788 square metres of Crown land in central Sydney to La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council is a fantastic outcome for the Aboriginal community.

Background

The title to the land will be transferred to La Perouse LALC as freehold land.

Aboriginal land claims on Crown land are a statutory right under the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983.

Over the past 2 financial years, over 1,970 Aboriginal land claims have been processed, with over 6,500 hectares of land granted to Aboriginal land councils.

Since the Act began, 3,666 claims have been granted and 163,781 hectares of land have been granted to Aboriginal land councils.

Frequently asked questions

What is the government announcing?

An Aboriginal land claim by La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) covering the former Paddington Bowling Club building, its bowling greens and adjoining tennis courts, has been granted.

The title to the land will be transferred to La Perouse LALC as freehold land.

Aboriginal land claims on Crown land are a statutory right under the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983and are assessed against statutory criteria.

The transfer of 7,788 square metres of Crown land in central Sydney to La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council is a fantastic outcome for the Aboriginal community.

Aboriginal land claims on Crown land are a statutory right under the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983.

Over the past 2 financial years, over 1,970 Aboriginal land claims have been processed, with over 6,500 hectares of land granted to Aboriginal land councils.

Since the Act began, 3,666 claims have been granted and 163,781 hectares of land granted to Aboriginal land councils.

What was the nature of the claim from the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council, and what was the outcome?

An Aboriginal land claim was received from the NSW Aboriginal Land Council.

Part of that claim covered Lot 5 of DP 1156864 which includes the Paddington Bowling Club building, its bowling greens and adjoining tennis courts. This was determined as claimable by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces under the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983.

Aboriginal land claims can be lodged by individual Land Councils over Crown land within their area or by the NSW Aboriginal Land Council as the peak body.

What does the decision mean for the current leaseholder?

The determination that the land is claimable will result in the termination of Lot 5 from the current lease held by Quarry Street Pty Ltd.

What does it mean for any potential development plans for the site?

The title to Lot 5 will be transferred to La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council as freehold land.

Future use of the land will then be a matter for La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council as the new landowner, in accordance with local planning requirements.

How will the site be managed going forward and by whom?

La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council will manage the site once the land is transferred to its ownership.

Wentworth Tennis Club will be required to discuss ongoing access to the tennis courts with the new landowner, La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council.

What are the next steps to hand over the land?

Transfer documents will be lodged with Land Registry Services in January to transfer the land (Lot 5 DP 1156846) to the ownership of La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council.