What caused the sinkhole at AJ Burkitt Oval?

Tunnel boring machines for the North East Link project are believed to have been a contributing factor to the sinkhole's formation.

Were there any injuries from the Melbourne sinkhole?

No, fortunately, no one was injured when the sinkhole opened up at AJ Burkitt Oval.

Are sinkholes common in Melbourne?

Sinkholes can occur anywhere, and while often unnoticed, they become more apparent in urban settings, especially with infrastructure development and changing weather.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Melbourne Park Swallowed by Mysterious Sinkhole

Melbourne Park Swallowed by Mysterious Sinkhole

7 Jan

•

Summary

A large sinkhole appeared at AJ Burkitt Oval in Heidelberg, Melbourne.
Tunnel boring machines for the North East Link project likely contributed.
No injuries were reported following the sinkhole's sudden appearance.

Melbourne Park Swallowed by Mysterious Sinkhole

A significant sinkhole has opened up in AJ Burkitt Oval, a popular park located in Heidelberg, Melbourne. The emergence of the cavity, which is several metres wide, occurred recently and has disrupted local activities. Investigations are underway, with VIDA Roads, the organisation managing the North East Link project, acknowledging that their tunnel boring machines are considered a contributing factor.

Geology experts explain that such sinkholes are not uncommon and can be exacerbated by human activities like tunnelling. Professor Guillermo Narsilio from Melbourne University noted that sinkholes occur globally and are often linked to aging infrastructure and changing weather patterns. A similar incident occurred in Sydney in 2017 near a former prime minister's residence, leading to property evacuations.

The sinkhole at AJ Burkitt Oval appeared when the underground cavity's ceiling could no longer support its own weight, leading to a sudden surface collapse. While often formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks, human intervention, such as the ongoing North East Link construction, can accelerate their formation. Fortunately, the recent event in Melbourne caused no injuries.