Construction of memorial park in Harkness to begin next year
A significant new community asset is on the horizon for Melbourne's west as the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT) prepares to break ground on the memorial park in Harkness in the second half of 2025.
At more than three times the size of Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, the expansive park is the largest of its kind in 100 years and is destined to become an integral part of the area for generations to come.
GMCT’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Eriksen, says he is proud to see the project’s vision unfold.
“We’re incredibly excited to be preparing to break ground on our new memorial park in Harkness – it marks a new chapter for Melbourne’s rapidly growing western region. Over time, the park will become vital community infrastructure, serving not only as a final resting place and sanctuary for reflection, but also as a versatile open space for the community.”
Designed with the community, for community
GMCT has worked closely with the local community and the site’s Traditional Owners to ensure the park reflects the values and aspirations of those it will serve.
Chief Built Environment Officer, James Reid, emphasised the importance of community involvement.
“From the very beginning, community input has been a cornerstone of this project. Community insights have been crucial in shaping a memorial park that truly embraces the rich tapestry of cultures, faiths and perspectives in Melbourne’s west. We’re grateful for the community's engagement and contributions – together we are creating an inclusive space that we believe will hold deep meaning and significance for everyone who visits.”
A staged approach to project development
The park’s design and development will evolve in response to the community’s changing needs, emerging through multiple stages. The master plan spans the next 100 years, allowing the park to adapt over time.
The initial phase will focus on establishing essential services and infrastructure, allowing the park to begin operating while additional features and facilities are progressively developed. This will include providing traditional burial and memorialisation services, as well as vital gathering spaces where the community can come together.
What happens now?
Detailed designs are currently being developed for the establishment of the memorial park.
GMCT is seeking a Principal Design Consultant to support this work, with submissions accepted through an open tender process. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to
what will be Victoria’s largest new cemetery in a century. For more information on the tender process, visit the Tenders Victoria website.
In the lead-up to construction in 2025, GMCT will collaborate with the successful head consultant to finalise the detailed designs and prepare for breaking ground.
To stay updated on the memorial park project, visit GMCT’s community engagement hub or email harkness@gmct.com.au. For all media enquiries, email media@gmct.com.au.
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 (DH) 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.