Massive sinkhole opens up on a Melbourne oval: Aussies told to stay away over fears it will grow even bigger

A massive sinkhole has opened up at a popular sports field, with local games thrown into chaos and residents urged to stay away. 

An investigation has been launched after a large chunk of turf collapsed at AJ Burkitt Oval in Heidelberg, Melbourne’s north-east, on Monday afternoon.

Footage showed young families gathered near the hole, which is eight metres wide and five metres deep, before it was cordoned off as an exclusion zone.

The cause is yet to be confirmed, but the oval is located close to where borer machines are digging an underground twin road tunnel for the North East Link project.

Authorities have urged everyone to avoid the area until further notice, amid fears the sinkhole could grow.

‘Council is working closely with relevant agencies to assess the situation and determine what’s next,’ Banyule Council posted online.

‘We’ll provide further updates as information becomes available.’

The footy field is used for cricket matches in the off-season and is also a popular spot for walking dogs and exercise.

Banyule Cricket Club is scrambling to find a new venue to play its home matches this weekend.

‘So, I went to look to make sure it was real, and I was trying to make sure no-one was hurt,’ president Brad Bowler told ABC. 

Banyule Bears Football and Netball Club president Andrew Yodgee said it was ‘very fortunate’ nobody was standing or playing where the sinkhole opened.

‘It’s lucky it wasn’t a house,’ he said.

‘Your guess is as good as mine as far as what happens hereon in and the impact it’s going to have on the football club.’ 

Hailed as the biggest ever investment in Melbourne’s north-east, the North East Link is a 10km tolled highway tunnel that will connect the Metropolitan Ring Road with the Eastern Freeway at Bulleen. 

The tunnels will take 15,000 trucks off local roads each day and reduce travel times by up to 35 minutes when the project is completed in 2028.

A North East Link spokesperson confirmed it was aware a sinkhole had emerged near tunnelling operations.

The state opposition has called on the Victorian government to conduct a transparent investigation into what happened.

‘What delays and blowouts will be inflicted on taxpayers, and assure Victorians that this won’t happen again?’ Shadow Minister Evan Mulholland asked.

‘The costs of the North East Link have become a bottomless pit. What started as a $10 billion project has sunk to $26 billion, and counting.

‘This is not normal and the government has some explaining to do.’