A major sporting ground in Melbourne's north-east has been thrown into disarray after a gigantic sinkhole, measuring eight metres wide and five metres deep, suddenly opened up on the pitch. The incident has prompted an urgent investigation and left local clubs scrambling to find alternative venues.
Scene of the Collapse
The turf gave way at Heidelberg's AJ Burkitt Oval on Monday afternoon, creating a significant cavity in the middle of the popular field. Footage from the scene showed young families gathered near the edge before police arrived to establish a safety cordon, declaring the area an exclusion zone.
While the exact cause remains under official investigation, the location is notable. The oval sits close to where borer machines are excavating an underground twin road tunnel for the multi-billion pound North East Link project. Authorities have warned people to avoid the area entirely amid concerns the void could expand further.
Community Impact and Club Scramble
The sinkhole's appearance has caused immediate logistical chaos for local sports. The field is used for Australian Rules football in winter and cricket during the summer, and is also a well-frequented spot for dog walkers and exercise.
Banyule Cricket Club is now urgently seeking a new location to host its home matches this weekend. Club president Brad Bowler told the ABC he went to inspect the site to confirm the incident and ensure no one was injured.
Andrew Yodgee, president of the Banyule Bears Football and Netball Club, expressed relief that no one was standing in the spot when it collapsed. "It's lucky it wasn't a house," he said, adding that the future impact on the club remains uncertain.
Project Scrutiny and Political Reaction
The North East Link, hailed as Victoria's biggest road project, is a 10km tolled highway tunnel set for completion in 2028. A spokesperson for the project confirmed awareness of the sinkhole emerging near tunnelling operations.
The incident has drawn sharp political criticism. The state opposition has called for a transparent government investigation. Shadow Minister Evan Mulholland questioned potential delays and cost blowouts, noting the project's budget had already ballooned from £10 billion to an estimated £26 billion.
Local Banyule Council stated it is working with relevant agencies to assess the situation and determine the next steps, promising further updates as information becomes available.
