A large sinkhole has opened at a sporting oval in Melbourne's north-east, raising concerns about ground stability near one of Victoria's most significant infrastructure projects.
According to emergency authorities, the sinkhole appeared at A J Burkitt Oval in Heidelberg, an area located close to ongoing tunnelling works for the $26 billion North East Link project. The cavity is estimated to be around 5 metres deep and roughly 8 metres by 8 metres.
No injuries have been reported, but the affected area has been secured and cordoned off, with residents and the public advised to stay clear while investigations continue. Local police and emergency services responded quickly after the hole was identified, restricting access to ensure public safety.
The North East Link project involves two tunnel boring machines operating underground in the vicinity of the oval. These machines are working continuously as part of the major road upgrade that will eventually connect the Eastern Freeway at Bulleen with the Metropolitan Ring Road at Greensborough. The project includes 6.5 kilometres of tunnels within a 10-kilometre road corridor.
Local council authorities confirmed that the construction consortium responsible for delivering the project has taken control of the site to conduct detailed engineering and safety assessments. Officials have stated that while the sinkhole is close to tunnelling activity, there is no immediate threat to nearby homes or the broader community.
This is not the first time ground instability has affected the project. In early 2025, tunnelling work was temporarily halted after a significantly deeper sinkhole formed near another section of the construction zone.
Once completed, the North East Link is expected to remove approximately 15,000 trucks from local roads each day and reduce travel times by up to 35 minutes for commuters across Melbourne’s north-east. The project is currently scheduled to open in 2028.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as investigations into the cause of the sinkhole remain ongoing.
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