A major sporting and community hub in Melbourne's north-east has been thrown into disarray after a gigantic sinkhole, measuring eight metres wide and five metres deep, suddenly opened on a popular oval.
Community Hub Becomes Exclusion Zone
The dramatic ground collapse occurred at Heidelberg's AJ Burkitt Oval on Monday afternoon, prompting an immediate emergency response. Police swiftly cordoned off the area, declaring it an exclusion zone as footage emerged showing young families gathered near the alarming chasm before barriers went up.
The oval is a multi-use facility, hosting cricket in the Australian Rules football off-season and serving as a popular spot for dog walkers and local residents to exercise. Authorities have issued a stern warning for everyone to avoid the area amid fears the sinkhole could expand.
Tunnel Project Proximity Under Scrutiny
While the exact cause remains unconfirmed, all eyes are on the nearby North East Link project, where massive tunnel boring machines are excavating underground twin road tunnels. The oval is situated close to this major infrastructure work.
A spokesperson for the North East Link confirmed awareness of the sinkhole's emergence near their tunnelling operations. The 10km tolled highway tunnel, hailed as the biggest ever investment in Melbourne's north-east, aims to take 15,000 trucks off local roads daily and cut travel times by up to 35 minutes upon its scheduled 2028 completion.
Local Clubs Scramble and Officials Investigate
The sudden closure has caused significant disruption for local sports clubs. The Banyule Cricket Club is now urgently seeking an alternative venue for its home matches this weekend. Banyule Bears Football and Netball Club president Andrew Yodgee expressed relief that no one was standing where the earth gave way, calling it "very fortunate."
"It's lucky it wasn't a house," Yodgee added, voicing uncertainty over the long-term impact on his club. Brad Bowler, president of the Banyule Cricket Club, recounted visiting the site to ensure no one was injured.
Banyule Council stated it is working with relevant agencies to assess the situation and determine the next steps, promising further updates. Meanwhile, the state opposition has called for a transparent government investigation, with Shadow Minister Evan Mulholland questioning potential delays and cost blowouts to the already ballooning $26 billion project.
