Workers deemed today, the two by three metre hole which emerged on Wednesday, was caused by a leaking water pipe.

But it took until 5pm for its precise location to be found through the use of a acoustic leak detector which records subterranean noise to headphones.

Plumber Jordan Parkinson, of Norm Petts Plumbing, said repairs would begin on Friday with the leak coming from a pipe three to four metres away from the hole.

“With a water leak that’s been running as long as it has it’s common to have movement underground and for it to collapse,” he said.

Repairing the leak and the hole is expected to take until at least early next week.

The crater is on the northern side of the Butter Factory Theatre and has been enclosed by temporary fencing.

Wodonga Council is responsible for the area with the repair work contracted.