A sinkhole formed at AJ Burkitt Oval in Heidelberg, Melbourne, on Monday, January 6, in an area where tunnel boring machines are operating for the North East Link road project. No injuries were reported. An internal investigation by VIDA Roads, Victoria's road building authority, concluded the incident was preventable, attributing it to a planned "pressure test" conducted after a tunnel boring machine entered geologically complex ground. Remediation efforts are underway, with the oval expected to reopen in March, and tunnelling operations are scheduled to resume with new safety protocols.
Incident Discovery and Initial Response
On Monday, January 6, a sinkhole appeared at AJ Burkitt Oval, located within Banyule Flats Reserve on Beverley Road in Heidelberg, Melbourne's north-east. Reports described the sinkhole as several meters in width, with one assessment stating it measured approximately eight meters by eight meters and was five meters deep.
No injuries were reported in connection with the incident. Following its appearance, the State Emergency Service (SES) established an exclusion zone around the sinkhole, and the public was advised to stay away from the affected area. Victoria Police also secured the site.
The construction consortium responsible for the North East Link, Spark, assumed control of the site to conduct assessments. Banyule City Council confirmed its awareness of the sinkhole and reiterated public safety warnings. A North East Link spokesperson confirmed the area was secured and that crews were monitoring the site and surrounding areas, advising the public to avoid it while investigations proceeded.
Investigation Findings and Cause
An internal investigation conducted by VIDA Roads, Victoria's road building authority, concluded that the sinkhole incident was preventable. Interim CEO Paul Roth stated that the incident "should not have taken place."
The investigation determined that a tunnel boring machine (TBM) had entered an area of geologically complex and fragmented ground, a condition that was known prior to the incident. A planned "pressure test" was subsequently conducted after the TBM had passed through this complex earth. This pressure test, intended to reduce pressure within the TBM for maintenance and to familiarize crews, was found to have destabilized the ground and caused the sinkhole.
Paul Thomas, VIDA Road's head of tunnelling design and construction, stated that the incident posed no safety risk to workers.
Remediation and Project Continuation
Tunnelling operations were scheduled to resume on Friday afternoon following the incident. Authorities have expressed confidence in the continued use of TBMs in the area. The incident is not expected to delay the overall North East Link project or add to its estimated cost.
New processes have been implemented to prevent similar incidents. These include:
- Tightening controls and operational processes.
- Ensuring real-time monitoring of ground conditions.
- Deploying crews on the surface during tunnelling operations to identify ground movement and establish exclusion zones if required.
Remediation efforts for AJ Burkitt Oval are underway, including the installation of a 500-tonne concrete plug. The oval is expected to reopen to the public in March.
North East Link Project Context
The sinkhole emerged in the vicinity of underground tunnelling operations for the North East Link road project. This $26 billion project involves constructing 10 kilometers of road, including 6.5 kilometers of tunnels, designed to connect the Eastern Freeway at Bulleen with the Metropolitan Ring Road at Greensborough. Upon completion, the 6.5-kilometre underground road will constitute the longest twin tunnels in Victoria, with sections extending up to 45 metres underground.
Construction for the North East Link commenced in 2024, with an expected completion in 2028. The project aims to remove approximately 15,000 trucks from local roads daily and reduce travel times by up to 35 minutes.
Two tunnel boring machines, named Zelda and Gillian, are part of the project's operations, with Zelda reportedly operating near the location where the sinkhole developed. These machines are operated continuously by crews of up to 20 individuals.
Previous Incidents
In February of the previous year (reported as February 2025 in one source), tunnelling on the North East Link project was halted following the emergence of an 18-meter-deep sinkhole near Zelda and Gillian's worksite at Lower Plenty.
Community and Political Statements
AJ Burkitt Oval and Banyule Flats Reserve are utilized by local residents for recreational activities and host various sports clubs.
Brad Bowler, president of the Banyule Cricket Club, stated that the club is now seeking alternative grounds for upcoming home games and noted uncertainty regarding the oval's availability for the remainder of the season. The club fields 18 junior teams and six senior teams. Andrew Yodgee, president of the Banyule Bears Football and Netball Club, highlighted the constant use of the ground by the community and noted the absence of individuals on the site at the time of the collapse.
Local residents who regularly use the reserve, such as Nadine, stated they felt unease when jogging through the area, while another resident, Bao, expressed hope that the sinkhole would not expand.
Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure, called for the Victorian government to provide transparent information regarding the investigation into the sinkhole's cause, the cost of remediation, and assurances for the prevention of similar incidents in the future. The state government was contacted for comment.