An Aboriginal land council has claimed back the ownership of the Waverton bowling club after a long-running land claim battle against the NSW government.

In 2020, NSW Crown Lands rejected the Land Council’s initial claim to take control of the land, which ultimately resulted in a court case dispute.

After long-winded battle, the dispute came to head with the NSW Land and Environment Court, which ordered the site to be transferred into the control of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council.

The successful claim now allows the Land Council ownership of the 75-year-old building including its two greens.

The former bowling hub, which had been operating for North Shore residents since 1947, is believed to be the first claim the Land Council has successfully secured in the North Sydney local government area.

It is understood the NSW Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council will now undertake an assessment of the site to figure out the potential future of the land.