Bowled over

A significant piece of Paddington has been returned to traditional owners, with the handover of the Paddo Bowls Club and grounds to the La Perouse Aboriginal Land Council. The transfer of 7788 sq m of Crown land, including the bowls club, bowling greens and the top tennis courts, was described by the NSW government as a “fantastic outcome” for the local indigenous community.

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment says the 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 land has been handed over as freehold, meaning it can be used or sold as the La Perouse Aboriginal Land Council sees fit. The handover follows seven years of discord over the prime piece of real estate, which has seen the site fall into disrepair.

The ownership has been contentious, with the leasehold formerly being held by Tasmanian businesswoman Jan Cameron, founder of the Kathmandu activewear brand, who is fighting unrelated criminal charges brought about by ASIC

The land rights deal was facilitated by Woollahra Councillor Harriet Price and NSW Independent MP for Sydney, Alex Greenwich.

“This historic decision finally takes this important site out of the hands of private commercial interests,” Price says. “That outcome has been a long time coming but is very welcome news. The Paddington community is proud of the recognition of the significance of this land and looks forward to its future use in connection with that significance.”

La Perouse Aboriginal Land Council did not return messages. The existing community garden and the majority of the tennis club are not affected by the land transfer.