Harkness: reimagining the public cemetery

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Thanks for joining our community workshops

Thank you to everyone who attended our recent workshops and shared their thoughts on our draft plans for the reimagined memorial park at Harkness in the City of Melton.

Just as our masterplan for the memorial park was informed by community consultation, so too are our detailed plans for Stage 1 of what will be the largest cemetery in Victoria in 100 years.

Right now, we’re applying your feedback to the plans. Watch this space for the Stage 1 designs. We will share them with you as soon as we can.

For more information, please contact us:

Ph: 1300 022 298

Email: harkness@gmct.com.au

Thanks for joining our community workshops

Thank you to everyone who attended our recent workshops and shared their thoughts on our draft plans for the reimagined memorial park at Harkness in the City of Melton.

Just as our masterplan for the memorial park was informed by community consultation, so too are our detailed plans for Stage 1 of what will be the largest cemetery in Victoria in 100 years.

Right now, we’re applying your feedback to the plans. Watch this space for the Stage 1 designs. We will share them with you as soon as we can.

For more information, please contact us:

Ph: 1300 022 298

Email: harkness@gmct.com.au

  • Join our community workshops

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    Reimagined cemetery: August community workshops

    We’re holding two workshops in August to help plan Victoria’s largest new cemetery in 100 years.

    We want people living and working in the City of Melton to come along and give us their feedback on our draft plans.

    We now have a cemetery masterplan, which was informed by six months of community consultation. At the workshops we will show community members our stage 1 designs, explain how we’ve incorporated feedback and ask for more input.

    This is a cemetery of the future. It will also be used for community, cultural and recreational purposes.

    Please come along to one of these workshops. Choose the one that best suits you.

    When:

    Religious/faith groups (processes, inclusion, and rituals): 16th of August, 1:30-3:30pm

    Community workshop (inclusion, access, and diversity): 18th of August, 1:30-3:30pm

    Where: Durvegan Cottage, 3A Reserve Rd, Melton VIC 3337

    What will happen at the workshops?

    At these workshops we will:

    • update you on the cemetery design
    • check that the design works for diverse cultural and community groups and their funeral rituals
    • talk and hear more about the community spaces at the site.

    We are holding separate community and faith group workshops so we can hear from everyone.

    We would love your insights. They are very valuable to our work shaping this cemetery of the future.

    To RSVP or for more information please email EHall@gmct.com.au

    Can’t make it to our workshops?

    We’d still like to hear from you. Please contact us at harkness@gmct.com.au or join our reference panel by completing our short survey at https://yoursay.gmct.com.au/harkness

    Engagement update

    We’re working with diverse community members, faith groups, local organisations and others to understand their needs as we design the future cemetery at Harkness.

    So far, we’ve reached out to people through:

    • surveys
    • advisory group meetings
    • site walks
    • community pop-ups
    • community conversations
    • specialist conversations.

    So far, we’ve had 287 engagements, including:

    • government groups and representatives 70 times
    • community group representatives 65 times, which include,
      1. environmental groups
      2. historical groups
      3. advocacy groups
      4. CALD groups
      5. LGBTIQA+ community members
      6. sport and recreational groups
    • religious representatives 20 times
    • industry and innovation 22 times
    • tertiary institutions 13 times
    • community services 7 times
    • neighbours 5 times
    • Traditional Owners: ongoing engagement.

    What we have learnt so far:

    The demand for cremation services is growing and will inform our designs.

    There is a desire for more storytelling, memorialisation, and inclusion in cemeteries. This includes for First Peoples, war veterans, and LGBTQIA+ community members.

    Faith groups have provided insights into their funeral, burial and cremation rituals so that the cemetery’s spaces meet these needs. We will share our designs at the upcoming workshops to ensure they’re appropriate and fit for purpose.

    Gardens, peaceful places, and natural elements for quiet reflection are valued.

    The restoration of the Arnolds Creek corridor is well supported.

    The reaction to using some of the land for playgrounds, picnic areas, walking trails and educational experiences has been positive, as long as peace and privacy for those visiting the cemetery areas are assured.

    Occasional larger community events were flagged as a way to make the cemetery more widely loved by community.

  • Masterplan released and stage 1 design has commenced.

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    We are pleased to release the Masterplan for our future site at Harkness.

    This document builds on the summary released in November 2022 and provides an overview of the design, including how the development might be staged.

    Detailed design has now commenced for Stage 1 and as we develop the designs in more detail, we will continue to consider community feedback and how to use that information to shape the plans.

    During the detailed design process in 2023, our engagement approach will move from formal advisory groups to a community reference panel model. We will conduct targeted outreach with community reference panel members to understand their needs and how we can best incorporate them into our planning and design process.

    We are always keen to hear from new community groups and organisations, so if you would like to join our community reference panel, please complete this short expression of interest form available on the "Get Involved" tab below.

    Stay up to date by registering for project updates using the "Stay informed" subscribe button on this page.

    Have questions for the project team?

    Check out this page to reach out.

    Contact Us

    Ph: 1300 022 298

    Email: harkness@gmct.com.au

  • Masterplan plan advisory group briefing

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    We are pleased to announce that the masterplan has now been completed and we are currently undertaking feasibility assessments with detailed designs for Stage 1 to follow in the new year. The masterplan provides a high-level overview of the proposed site layout and identifies seven key themes that will guide the design and construction processes.

    In the meantime, the Master Plan Summary document provides a summary of what we heard from community in the masterplan engagement process. It also introduces some of the key themes presented by the masterplan but does not provide details on the design.

    A version of the full masterplan will be available in early 2023. It will provide more detail about the design including how the development might be staged.

    In November 2022, Advisory group members received a briefing which outlined how feedback was incorporated into the existing plan and explained the key themes and how community can continue to engage with the planning process.

    A recording of the briefing session is available below.


    As we move into stage 1 detailed designing in 2023, our engagement approach will move from formal advisory groups to a community reference panel model. We will conduct targeted outreach with community reference panel members to understand the specific needs and lived experiences of community groups and individuals.

    If you would like to join our community reference panel, please complete this short expression of interest form available on the "Get Involved" tab below.

    Stay up to date by registering for project updates using the "Stay informed" subscribe button on this page.


    Have questions for the project team?

    Check out this page to reach out.

    Contact Us

    Ph: 1300 022 298

    Email: harkness@gmct.com.au

  • Engagement Update

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    In August 2021, the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT) announced the appointment of a consortium - Aurecon, Architectus, McGregor Coxall and Greenshoot Consulting to work alongside their team to develop a master plan for the new site at Harkness. The 128-hectare site represents the largest cemetery development project in Victoria for 100 years, and it will serve Victoria’s communities for more than 100 years to come.

    The new site at Harkness represents a landmark opportunity to reimagine the public cemetery and provide the community with a valued space that not only provides memorialisation needs, but also contributes to the amenity and liveability of the area.

    As part of the master planning preparation, the consortium engaged and consulted with the community and key stakeholders on their priorities and vision for the site. This process sought to ensure that the design of the master plan considers the requirements of the community it will serve. This engagement period spanned across four months from mid-November 2021 to 15 March 2022. Over this time, the consortium spoke with the Traditional Owners, local community members, industry experts, cultural and religious communities, government bodies, and innovative future thinkers.

    Community and stakeholders told us that the following ideas are important to explore designing the master plan for the new site at Harkness:


    Traditional Owners

    Inclusion of Wurundjeri people and culture. Specifically, environmental educational opportunities and cultural education.

    Security, access and wayfinding

    Adequate security for safety reasons, accessibility and clear wayfinding for users.

    Maintain respect and peace

    Programming opportunities should not impact the serenity of the site; specifically, surrounding noise and disruptive visuals.

    Greenspace and walking/ cycling trails

    Green spaces, walking and cycling tracks designed for all community members. This was the most frequently occurring theme.

    Water features

    Water features that would add a sense of peace and tranquillity to the site.

    Native plants and animals

    Contributions towards ecological preservation and active measures to attract native animals, particularly birds.

    Spaces for sitting/ reflecting

    The need for ample seating areas due to accessibility considerations and seats providing a space for reflection.

    Maintenance of views

    Maintenance of peaceful views on the site which would benefit neighbouring residents and future users of the site.

    Sustainability

    Implementation of sustainable practices and space for more sustainable interment options.

    Interment land

    Multifaith areas, a dedicated area for deceased children and babies, and consideration for pets.

    Community garden

    A community garden area where people could work and socialise together to connect and share culture.

    Café/ restaurant

    A café/ restaurant that would contribute amenity to the site and provide a facility for after-service functions.

    Florist

    A florist to service those who wish to bring flowers to the memorial site of a deceased loved one.

    Educational facilities

    A facility that encourages educational opportunities for the local community, including cultural, ecological and historical learning activities.

    Multipurpose community spaces

    Community spaces including conferences spaces, an arts function centre and a space for cultural celebrations; all of which Melton is currently lacking.

  • Sustainable Living Festival

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    The Sustainable Cemetery

    Watch the event here.

    The session was facilitated by James Reid, Chief Future Built Environment Officer at Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT). James briefly introduced GMCT before inviting each panellist to present. Each panellist presented on the topic of sustainable cemeteries and their involvement in the development of a new public cemetery at Harkness in the City of Melton in Melbourne’s west. The panellists and perspectives they brought to the conversation were:

    • Alli Coster - Design Lead for GMCT’s Future Built Environment Team – Managing cemeteries sustainably
    • Theo Gouskos - Managing Director of Greenshoot Consulting – Embedding First Nations Knowledge Systems and celebrating Culture through infrastructure design
    • Miranda Wilkinson - Associate Director of McGregor Coxall – Design strategies for sustainability
    • Samuel Holleran – Researcher for DeathTech at Melbourne University – The future cemetery - technology and trends


    Presentation summaries

    Alli Coster

    Alli flagged that cemeteries often play a significant role in the grieving process for ‘one of life’s most truly fragile moments.’ In addition, cemetery land also plays a large role in the preservation of native plants and animals. At its core, GMCT provides end of life services, and the most current and popular interment strategies are cremation and burial, both of which are highly unsustainable. Alli pointed out that one cremation produces the CO2 emissions equivalent to driving 600km in a car.

    Theo Gouskos

    Theo explained that a truly sustainable cemetery should seek to understand the profound meaning that connection to country has to Indigenous Australians. Caring for country must consider social equity, environmental sustainability, economic sustainability and cultural sustainability. The idea of a sustainable cemetery presents an opportunity to reflect on the histories of First Peoples, create a new space for creation, art and artefact, and support people to connect with the qualities of nature and history.

    Miranda Wilkinson

    Miranda explained that sustainability is at the heart of the master plan for the new site at Harkness, not only environmental, but quadruple bottom line sustainability. The intersection of design, culture and sustainability is a challenging proposition for cemeteries. Miranda suggested that this intersection is intrinsically linked to caring for country. If people have the ability to understand the site more through art and history, then people may be more likely to care for the land.

    Samuel Holleran (Researcher, Death Tech)

    Samuel explained that cemeteries are beginning to evolve into multipurpose greenspaces. These sites contain multitudes of environmental assets like tress and waterways which contribute positively to managing the impacts of climate change. Samuel also spoke to new, innovative memorialisation practices, such as human compositing and hydrolysis. Although both practices require further research prior to implementation, they are seemingly far more sustainable than our current normalities.

    Key themes of our audience questions

    The questions from audience members during our seminar presented numerous key areas of interest. They could be summarised as follows:

    • What are the most sustainable interment methods and what will the new cemetery at Harkness consider?
    • How will the site facilitate peace and comfort for its users?
    • Is there an opportunity for more sustainable interment strategies to be implemented across Victoria?
    • Will green burials consider options for family members to have a place to visit?

    Our panellists favourite cemeteries

    At the conclusion of the seminar, following audience questions, each panellist was asked, ‘What cemetery have you felt most connected to and why?’

    Samuel Holleran

    Green- Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn - Samuel lived adjacent to the Green- Wood Cemetery and loved the peaceful qualities of this site, including that connection to history.

    Alli Coster

    Fawkner Memorial Park and Northern Memorial Park - These cemeteries resonate particularly as Alli is able to feel a particular connection with place and nature on these sites.

    Theo Gouskos

    Fawkner Memorial Park - Theo said this is the site which he feels most connected to as his family are all buried there and the site provides him with a place to reflect and relive his family’s experiences.

    Miranda Wilkinson

    Melbourne Cemetery - Miranda said Melbourne Cemetery because she lives in close in proximity and during Covid-19 lockdowns it provided a peaceful place to reconnect with history and nature.


    To learn more

    To discover more about the master planning process currently underway for the new site at Harkness and have your say about what you would like to see at the site, visit the website at yoursay.gmct.com.au.

    To learn more about sustainable death practices and future research or keep up to date with the latest research from DeathTech, visit their website here.


    Thank you

    We thank The Sustainable Living Festival for hosting our event.

  • May 2022 Community Pop Ups

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    We will shortly be launching the first draft master plan for the new public cemetery at Harkness.

    We are excited to announce two upcoming community pop-ups, where will be showcasing the draft master plan for the first time.

    If you would like to be one of the first to see the designs and talk with our team, we will be at the following locations:

    • Caroline Springs Library on Wednesday 4 May, 10.30am – 2.30pm

    • Arnolds Creek Reserve (19 Claret Ash Boulevard, Harkness 3337), 8am – 10:30am. On this occasion, we have partnered with Active Barista coffee cart for free coffees. Stop by the pop-up and grab a coffee while learning about our new draft master plan.

    We are looking forward to talking in person with the local community and hearing your thoughts on the draft master plan. 

  • What we've heard so far.

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    Through December and January, we reached out to local community members and the broader public to learn about their aspirations and ideas for the site at Harkness.

    We ran our first online survey, in which were gathered a variety of fascinating thoughts, ideas and opinions. We wanted to share some of these encouraging insights with you.

    • 100% of respondents said they either somewhat supported or strongly supported a cemetery being used as a public open space, for recreational and/or cultural activities
    • 72% said that they use cemeteries or memorial parks as open space or recreational areas either frequently or occasionally
    • The three most common responses when asked what a cemetery should be included:
      • a nature reserve for the preservation of plants and animals
      • a place where visitors can learn some of the history of those interred in the cemetery
      • a place where people can walk, run or exercise.
  • The masterplan for our exciting new public cemetery at Harkness, in the city of Melton is now complete.

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    We recently announced our plans to 'reimagine the public cemetery' at our new 128-hectare site at Harkness. In addition to a public cemetery, the master plan will consider multi-use purposes for the site as it transitions over time to meet the burial and cremation needs of Victorians for the next 100 years.

    Consultation on the masterplan with community is now complete. The masterplan is now finalised and we are working through internal approvals before it can be released.

    As part of the masterplan design process, community members and key stakeholders were consulted on their priorities and vision for the site. This process sought to ensure that the design of the masterplan considers the requirements of the community that it will serve. This engagement period spanned from mid-November 2021 to mid-May 2022. Over this time, GMCT and the consortium spoke with the Traditional Owners of the site, local community members, industry experts, cultural and religious community groups, government bodies, and innovative future thinkers.

    The community was engaged to provide feedback at numerous key stages of the masterplan development, including:

    • From the beginning of the design process, prior to the development of the draft masterplan
    • During masterplan refinement, including soft testing of early concept designs and programming opportunities
    • Nearing draft masterplan completion, including testing specific site interfaces and designs.

    This process aimed to take the community on a journey of masterplan development and provide transparent oversight of project progress.

Page last updated: 19 Feb 2024, 04:07 PM