A large sinkhole has emerged at a sporting field in Melbourne’s north-east, close to where tunnel boring machines are constructing the $26bn North East Link project.

Pictures on social media show the large hole at A J Burkitt oval in Heidelberg. It is about five metres deep and measures about eight metres by eight metres, according to the State Emergency Service.

No injuries have been reported but the area has been cordoned off, with the public warned to avoid the site.

The North East Link’s website shows that the project’s two boring machines, named Zelda and Gillian, are located north of the oval.

Sign up: AU Breaking News email

The construction consortium delivering the infrastructure project, Spark, has taken control of the site to undertake assessments, Banyule city council said on Tuesday morning.

The council, which takes in Heidelberg, said it was aware of a sinkhole at the reserve and warned people to avoid the area until further notice.

“For everyone’s safety, Victoria Police have cordoned off the affected area,” the council said in a social media post on Monday evening.

Last February, an 18-metre deep sinkhole that emerged near Zelda and Gillian, close tothe worksite at Lower Plenty, halted tunnelling on the project.

The two boring machines are operated 24 hours a day by a crew of up to 20 people, the project’s website says.

The North East Link will connect the Eastern Freeway at Bulleen with the Metropolitan Ring Road at Greensborough.

The road will stretch 10km and include 6.5km of tunnels.

The government estimates the North East Link will take about 15,000 trucks off local roads each day and reduce travel times by up to 35 minutes.

It is expected to open in 2028.

A North East Link spokesperson said it was aware of a surface hole in Heidelberg, which “is in the vicinity of our tunnelling operations”.

“The area has been secured and crews are closely monitoring the site and surrounding areas – and we strongly advise people to avoid the area while investigations into the cause are under way,” the spokesperson said.

“No injuries have been reported and there is no immediate threat to the community or residential properties.”