Harkness: reimagining the public cemetery

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Victoria’s largest new cemetery in 100 years is coming to your community.

The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT) is proud to be developing a memorial park at Harkness – a 128-hectare cemetery and public park 40km northwest of Melbourne CBD. Here at GMCT, it all started with one question: What should a cemetery be?

We envisioned a reassuring sanctuary where people could connect to nature and each other, but we also believe that it should be what you need. So, we invited you all to reimagine the public cemetery with us.

Engaging with the Traditional Owners of the land, the Wurundjeri people, and the local community has been central to our design process. With your help, we’ve master planned a memorial park that embraces Wurundjeri culture, creates a place for peaceful reflection and remembrance, and celebrates life through a multi-use space for the public.

Thank you for your feedback

We sincerely thank everyone who has contributed their ideas so far. Across the project, we’ve had more than 280 engagements, including surveys, advisory group meetings, site walks, community workshops, and pop-ups. But the journey far from over.

We will be looking for and welcoming your honest feedback at each step of the design and construction process. Below, you will find engagement opportunities and regular updates about the project.

Subscribe for updates

Complete the form on our website to subscribe for updates: https://www.gmct.com.au/harkness

Victoria’s largest new cemetery in 100 years is coming to your community.

The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT) is proud to be developing a memorial park at Harkness – a 128-hectare cemetery and public park 40km northwest of Melbourne CBD. Here at GMCT, it all started with one question: What should a cemetery be?

We envisioned a reassuring sanctuary where people could connect to nature and each other, but we also believe that it should be what you need. So, we invited you all to reimagine the public cemetery with us.

Engaging with the Traditional Owners of the land, the Wurundjeri people, and the local community has been central to our design process. With your help, we’ve master planned a memorial park that embraces Wurundjeri culture, creates a place for peaceful reflection and remembrance, and celebrates life through a multi-use space for the public.

Thank you for your feedback

We sincerely thank everyone who has contributed their ideas so far. Across the project, we’ve had more than 280 engagements, including surveys, advisory group meetings, site walks, community workshops, and pop-ups. But the journey far from over.

We will be looking for and welcoming your honest feedback at each step of the design and construction process. Below, you will find engagement opportunities and regular updates about the project.

Subscribe for updates

Complete the form on our website to subscribe for updates: https://www.gmct.com.au/harkness

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Naming the new memorial park at Harkness

    The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT) welcomes your views on the proposed name for our new 128-hectare memorial park in Harkness, Melbourne’s West:


    Harkness Memorial Park


    The new memorial park, set to be the largest established in Victoria in 100 years, is currently named Melton West Memorial Park. We propose renaming it Harkness Memorial Park to reflect the name of the surrounding locality. 


    Why Harkness Memorial Park?


    Harkness is a relatively new suburb in the City of Melton, nestled within the historic volcanic plains of Melbourne’s west — one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions. Home to a vibrant and diverse population, Harkness represents the changing face of this thriving community. 


    The local community chose the name 'Harkness' during a Melton City Council-led consultation in 2017, and the name is familiar to residents of the broader region.  


    To maintain this connection to the community’s identity and sense of place, we propose naming the site ‘Harkness Memorial Park’. The park will be a major community asset, promoting diversity through inclusive spaces and visitor experiences. 


    It will be a significant landmark for Melbourne’s western suburbs, providing a place where people can gather, reflect, and celebrate life in a welcoming, multi-use environment. 


    Our commitment to consultation with the site’s Traditional Owners, local residents, and cultural, faith, and community groups is instrumental in shaping the park’s design. Their feedback ensures that the park remains a space that honours the past, serves the present, and embraces the future. 


    We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved through collaboration with the entire community and look forward to continuing this work as the memorial park grows alongside them — offering a sanctuary for all. 


    Naming processes and procedures are undertaken in accordance with the statutory Naming Rules for Places in Victoria.

     

    For more information about the project, visit the consultation homepage.


    Have your say


    Submit your views on the proposed name via the following survey. If you have any questions, contact harkness@gmct.com.au. 


    The consultation will close at 5pm on Tuesday 29 October 2024.  

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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Islamic community burial preferences

    The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT) is planning the first stage of our new memorial park in Harkness, Melbourne’s west. This includes the consideration and design of various burial and memorialisation offerings. 


    We want to learn more about your community's burial preferences, both now and in the future. Your feedback will help us design options that suit your needs and respond to our vision for the new memorial park.

      

    To learn more about the new memorial park, visit gmct.com.au/harkness or contact harkness@gmct.com.au with any questions.  


    Examples of burial and grave types

    As you answer the survey, here are some examples of burial and grave types we offer or are currently exploring at GMCT for the Islamic community. If you or your community have other types in mind, we'd love to hear about them.  


    Please note: The above images are indicative and do not represent exactly what may be available at our new memorial park in Harkness. 


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  • Photo/Video EOI and Consent

    Later this month and in March, we’ll be filming short videos and taking community portraits. We’re looking for participants to get involved and share their stories and perspectives. 

    All ages, backgrounds, and community groups are encouraged to participate. As a thank you for your time, selected participants will receive a $120 e-gift voucher.


    Photo portraits

    The people of Melton are at the heart of the new memorial park. This community has been instrumental in shaping the park’s design, and we want to celebrate its diversity and spirit. We’ll be working with a professional photographer to capture the essence of this proud and vibrant community. 

    Videos

    The videos will be relaxed and conversational—a chance to share your thoughts on topics such as:


    • Why the park is important to you and/or your community 

    • How you think the park will support the region 

    • What you find interesting about memorial parks and their impact on society 

    • What you love about Melton and its people, places and identity 


    Filming will take place near the Harkness development site, and we’re also open to recording at local community groups you may represent. They will be recorded near the Harkness development site. We are also interested in filming at any local community groups you may represent.

    Complete Form
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  • Community preferences: How we remember and honour

    The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT) is finalising the first phase of Harkness Memorial Park in Melbourne’s west. This includes the consideration and design of various options to remember and honour loved ones. 

    We want to learn more about your preferences, both now and in the future. Your feedback will help us design options that suit your needs and respond to our vision for the new memorial park.  

    To learn more about Harkness Memorial Park, visit gmct.com.au/harkness or contact harkness@gmct.com.au with any questions. 

    Examples of burial and grave types

    As you answer the survey, here are some illustrated examples of burial and grave types currently offered or under consideration by GMCT. If you have other types in mind, we'd love to hear about them.  

    Please note: The above images are indicative and do not represent exactly what may be available at our new memorial park in Harkness. 

    A note on price

    We are developing a tiered approach to pricing, which will offer options to suit various needs. The consultation below forms part of this work. Further information about pricing will be provided later this year.

    Take Survey
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Page last updated: 18 Mar 2025, 03:28 PM