Talus Street courts threatened with eviction after successful Aboriginal Land Claim

Operators of a popular Sydney tennis centre have returned serve against an Aboriginal Land Council looking to turf them from the venue.

Paul Francis, Managing Director of Love’n Deuce and Founder of children’s charity Humpty Dumpty Foundation is set to meet with Nathan Moran, Chief Executive of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (MLALC) on Wednesday in a last ditch attempt to save the club.

“65,000 visits a year from kids [aged] two to adults 80 odd. It is the most used facility in New South Wales,” Mr Francis said.

For more than 40 years, the tennis centre has been a staple of Sydney’s lower north shore.

The eight courts on Talus Street in Naremburn host competitions and social sessions, catering to people of all ages and abilities.

“This is their home away from home. This is where they can get away from all the everyday crap that everybody goes through. They get out here, they get some exercise and they socialise,” Mr Francis said.

Love’n Deuce manages the courts for the Northern Suburbs Tennis Association (NSTA) which took out the lease in 1978.

In 2022, the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council won its land claim over the site and inherited existing lease arrangements.

The court decision was down to an “invalid sublease” making the site technically claimable.

“It was a misunderstanding. It was portrayed that this tennis centre wasn’t opened to the public, that you had to become a member. That it was a private situation, which, if I can use the word, is absolute crap,” Mr Francis claims.

Early last month, the Land Council issued NSTA with an eviction notice, giving operators until September 30 to vacate.

A financial dispute reportedly triggered the notice.

MLALC chief executive Nathan Moran has previously told media the land council is debating whether to increase the association’s rent or find another operator willing to pay more.

“As the owner, we have to cover insurance, rates and maintenance of the site, and the challenge is for us to ensure the site does not become a financial liability when it was meant to be provided as recompense under land rights,” Mr Moran said.

“Paying $46,000 for operating eight commercial courts does not pass the pub test.”

NSTA President Wayne Pascoe said he just wants to keep tennis at the site.

“It was a bit of surprise to say the least. To get seven weeks’ notice was a bit tough,” Pascoe said.

“We are happy to talk to them, we respect they own the land now.”

The community is concerned the site could be redeveloped into hundreds of apartments. In April, it was reported that the Land Council made an application, through a fast-tracked state government housing program, which got knocked back.

Long-time player at the club Todd Maloney said more must be done to save the site.

“The State Government, I think Federal as well, Tennis Australia, Tennis New South Wales, we all need to get behind it because it is a magnificent community asset and it should not be lost,” Maloney said.

Jackie Reynolds, who runs a dedicated program at the club, teaching children aged two to six essential motor skills, agrees.

“It is a tennis centre that has been in everybody’s lives for a very long time and sometimes it is a bit like a second home,” Ms Reynolds said.

More than 44,000 sites in New South Wales are currently subject to a land claim. That list reportedly includes the iconic Bondi icebergs and every surf club along Sydney’s east.

The New South Wales Government is pursuing legislative changes, aimed at closing a legal loophole that would make it harder for land councils to lodge claims over community facilities.

Under proposed changes, a lease alone would make land “lawfully used”, ensuring it can’t be claimed.

Debate on the contentious legislation has so far stalled in state parliament, as indigenous groups argue it is an assault on land rights.

It is set to resume next week.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said on Monday the current legislation has moved away from its intended purpose.

“I don’t believe this was the original intent of the Frank Walker land rights legislation in the 1980s,” Premier Minns said.

“If these plots of land are handed over, we can’t ever get them back. We can’t replicate our surf life saving clubs or our tennis infrastructure or our bowling clubs.

“I was hopeful of a landing. I suspect we are not going to get there. We still have to pursue the legislation… I don’t see an alternative, I genuinely don’t.”

Willoughby MP Tim James said the Coalition will support the “sensible” legislative changes.

Mr Francis does not blame the land council for his predicament.

“The government has left the door open and then said we don’t want anybody to come in, like seriously,” he said.

“Get off your ass and get it sorted.”

While legislative changes won’t change his situation, Wednesday’s meeting could.

MLALC was contacted by News24 for comment.

Read related topics:Aboriginal Land Claims