The community can expect to see an increase in activity at AJ Burkitt Reserve in Heidelberg from 8pm Friday evening, as the first stage of works get underway to repair the surface hole.
Crews will use concrete to fill the surface hole to restore ground levels in the impacted area. During all works and at completion, geotechnical inspections and monitoring will be conducted to ensure ongoing ground stability and to confirm there is no risk to public safety.
Concrete is being used as it is self-levelling, denser and fills spaces far better than other materials – reducing the risk of settlement while these critical investigations take place.
Once the surface hole is filled, we’ll remove some of the concrete and replace it with natural soil and turf as well as reinstating any damage to ovals, landscaped areas and amenities.
We’ll keep people up to date on the timing for expected completion as these works progress.
Community safety is the number one priority, with continued monitoring around the clock to ensure ongoing ground stability.
While the reserve remains closed, the project team has worked with Council to limit the impact to local sporting clubs, successfully relocating all games for this weekend. Work is continuing to determine interim arrangements for all clubs that rely on these facilities.
These works may take place out of hours, and nearby residents will be kept up to date about all works in the area.
The tunnel boring machines are currently paused while an investigation takes place into the cause of the surface hole. Cross passage works will continue to build connections between the two tunnels.
Thank you to all stakeholders and nearby residents for your patience while we complete this investigation. The community is strongly encouraged to avoid the reserve while repair works take place.