Ground breaking moment for Harkness Memorial Park
The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT) has officially broken ground on its flagship development, Harkness Memorial Park, in the City of Melton.
Traditional Owners, community leaders, industry representatives, and Melton City Council officials gathered with GMCT to celebrate the start of construction on what will be a multi-stage project serving the community for the next century.
"Today is a proud day for all of us", said Michael Doery, Chair of GMCT. "It’s the realisation of a vision that has been many years in the making. This moment represents the foundation of something much bigger. This is not a one-off project or infrastructure build, it’s a legacy in the making. We’re proud to be creating this place not just for the community—but with the community. And we look forward to continuing that journey together."
Honouring Country and its cultural significance were central to the celebrations. Colin Hunter Jnr Jnr welcomed attendees, and performances by the Djirri Djirri dancers and Uncle Kutcha Edwards resonated across the farmland that will soon be transformed.
Wurundjeri Traditional Owners undertook the first dig using specially commissioned digging sticks, handcrafted by artist Craig Murphy (Wandin), followed by GMCT and Melton City Council.
GMCT CEO Andrew Eriksen reflected on the significance of this groundbreaking: "The ground we break today has emerged from a rich history. The spirit of this place has long been present, and it will continue to emanate across Harkness Memorial Park. It is a privilege to care for and manage this land and carry this responsibility. We do so with humility, gratitude, and deep respect for what has come before."
As the largest new cemetery to be developed in Victoria, Harkness Memorial Park will become a vital part of the City of Melton’s open space network. Cr. Steve Abboushi, Mayor of Melton City Council, commented on the regional importance of the development:
"With our current cemetery almost at capacity, it is heartening to see this development progressing, and that our community will have a lovely space locally where they can remember their loved ones for many years to come."
Construction will begin with the planting of almost 2,000 trees, contributing towards the site's long-term master plan to regenerate the land, increase biodiversity and tree canopy, and integrate the local environment throughout the design.
The first stage of Harkness Memorial Park is expected to open in early 2027.
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About GMCT
Established in 2010, The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT) is a self-funding Class A cemetery trust regulated under the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003 (Vic). We report to the Department of Health and are governed by a Trust appointed by the Minister for Health.
Our operations cover the north, west and east regions of metropolitan Melbourne, and we manage 19 cemeteries plus two greenfield sites.
We are a trusted partner supporting Victorian families through their experiences of life, death and grieving. We provide burial, cremation and memorialisation services to meet the needs of our diverse communities, and we encourage families to plan ahead.