Imagine waking up to find a massive sinkhole has swallowed part of your local football oval—a place where families gather, kids play, and communities connect. That’s exactly what happened in Heidelberg, Melbourne’s north-east, leaving residents shaken and searching for answers. But here’s where it gets controversial: many Banyule locals are pointing fingers at the North East Link road project, whose underground tunnelling works lie suspiciously close to the collapse site. Could this be more than just a coincidence?
On Monday evening, a large sinkhole appeared at AJ Burkitt Oval in Banyule Flats Reserve, prompting authorities to establish an exclusion zone. Police and SES officers swiftly closed off the area, urging the public to stay away for their safety. The Banyule council echoed this warning in a social media post, stating, ‘For everyone’s safety, Victoria Police have cordoned off the affected area. Please avoid the area until further notice.’ They assured residents that they are working closely with relevant agencies to assess the situation and determine the next steps.
The timing of this incident has raised eyebrows. Construction for the North East Link, which began in 2024, involves digging 6.5 kilometres of twin tunnels—the longest in Victoria—with parts reaching depths of 45 metres. Notably, one of the project’s massive boring machines, nicknamed Zelda or Gillian, is currently operating near the sinkhole site. This isn’t the first time the project has faced such issues; in February 2025, tunnelling works at Lower Plenty were halted after another sinkhole formed.
And this is the part most people miss: while officials have yet to confirm a direct link between the sinkhole and the North East Link, residents are understandably anxious. Nadine, a local who regularly exercises around the oval, shared her concerns: ‘Knowing there’s a sinkhole so close to where we come most days is nerve-wracking. I hope we don’t see more of these as the project continues.’ Bao, another frequent visitor to the reserve, added, ‘It’s a little scary—I just hope it doesn’t get bigger.’
The incident has sparked a broader debate about the safety and environmental impact of large-scale infrastructure projects. While the North East Link promises to improve connectivity, could it be compromising the stability of the land beneath our feet? The ABC has reached out to North East Link and the state government for comment, but questions remain. Is this sinkhole an isolated incident, or a warning sign of deeper issues? We’d love to hear your thoughts—do you think the North East Link is to blame, or is this just an unfortunate coincidence? Let us know in the comments below.
