Video of sinkhole opening up outside busy Gold Coast worksite
Workers have been shocked with a sinkhole opening up outside a busy site, forcing a road to close. SEE THE VIDEO
QLD News
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A growing sinkhole has opened up in a road outside a Gold Coast high-rise construction site.
Building union the CFMEU has posted a Facebook video of the sinkhole outside The Sterling development at Broadbeach.
Workers were reportedly tunnelling at the site when the cavity began to form on George St on Friday morning.
“Unfortunately a sinkhole has formed right in the middle of the road here at Broadbeach,” a CFMEU official said on the video.
“Minute by minute, the sinkhole’s getting bigger.”
He said emergency services, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and the Gold Coast City Council had been informed and officials were on their way.
A council spokeswoman said it was aware of the problem and officers were attending.
“This morning the City was notified by a construction company that a sink hole had occurred on George Avenue while they were carrying out underground works,” she said.
“The City is investigating and has put a temporary road closure in place. Motorists are urged to avoid the area while repairs are undertaken.”
A Raptis Group spokesman said drilling works to connect The Sterling Broadbeach tower site with an existing 300mm water main disturbed a void beneath George Ave, creating a two- to three-metre depression in the street.
“The incident happened after 10.15am with Raptis’ contractors contacting Queensland Workplace Heath and Gold Coast City Council immediately,” he said.
“Raptis had acquired all the necessary work permits to conduct the drilling, which was approximately 1.2m underground.”
Broadbeach is one of the Gold Coast’s oldest suburbs. As a beachside location, sand makes up part of the underground base, which can affect compaction.
Raptis has assisted Council with the use of an excavator and other machinery, along with fill, to fast-track remediation.”
The spokesman said the incident caused the temporary closure of George Ave but it was expected to reopen on Friday night.
“No property was damaged and no people were injured by the incident,” he added.
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