The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT) is developing Stage 2 of the River Red Gum Precinct at Northern Memorial Park.

When complete, the precinct will include tranquil tree-lined avenues, diverse memorialisation options, and a new shared bicycle path connecting the cemetery with local reserves – creating a peaceful space and community asset for visitors and neighbours.

Multi-phased Development

River Red Gum Stage 2 is being delivered in carefully planned phases over several years. This staged approach allows us to respond to evolving community needs while managing construction impacts effectively.

We’re currently in Phase 1 (Stage 2), with expected completion in mid-2026. We are focusing on:

  • Site preparation and major earthworks
  • Developing a temporary soil storage facility
  • Road and essential infrastructure construction
  • Installation of furniture and picnic shelters
  • Shared path construction along residential boundary
  • Construction of new burial and memorial areas
  • Boundary planting and landscaping

Recent updates

The Vision

The River Red Gum Precinct will create a meaningful place for memorialisation while enhancing the natural environment and offering valuable green space for the broader community.

  • Diverse memorialisation options

    The precinct will provide a wide range of burial and memorialisation choices to reflect the cultural diversity of our community, including directional graves, monumental and lawn graves, natural burial sites, cremated remains memorialisation, and niche walls with memorial plaques.

  • A community asset

    This space will offer the community more than a traditional cemetery – it will be an accessible green space for both visitors and local residents, featuring shared paths that connect to neighbourhood trails. The precinct will offer places for quiet reflection and connection with nature, along with community gathering spaces that welcome all.

  • Caring for the natural landscape

    The design prioritises sustainability and biodiversity, incorporating native and drought-tolerant vegetation that supports local cooling. A central biodiversity corridor will manage stormwater naturally while creating habitat for local wildlife. The sustainable design approach will help reduce urban heat island effects, benefitting both the memorial park and surrounding neighbourhoods.

What will the completed project look like?

River Red Gum Stage 2 Masterplan, showing Phase 1
River Red Gum Stage 2 Phase 1
River Red Gum Stage 2 Masterplan
River Red Gum Stage 2 Masterplan
Render showing the shared path and landscaping. Artist impression, subject to change.
Render showing the shared path and landscaping.
Render showing the shared path adjacent to the southern boundary. Artist impression, subject to change.
Render showing the southern boundary.

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Katrina Gubbins

Manager Strategic Community Engagement

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Events and pop-ups

Consultation

Understanding the shared boundary

Illustration showing the road treatment and southern boundary layout.

The fence and Melbourne Water pipeline reserve

The area between Andrew Street properties and Northern Memorial Park includes a Melbourne Water pipeline reserve. Previous fencing in this area has not accurately reflected the boundary line and has since been removed.

What’s changed?

A new timber and wire fence will be installed along the correct boundary line between Melbourne Water’s land and Northern Memorial Park. This fence will replace what was there before and matches the style used in River Red Gum Stage 1.

While construction is underway, a temporary fence is in place.

Actioning community feedback

Following feedback from the community, we’ve made improvements to the design of this area:

  • The fence will be 1.2m high and made of timber and wire (instead of the low, fully timber farm-style fence originally proposed)
  • The shared bicycle and pedestrian path will shift 1 metre north (closer to the cemetery road, further from homes)
  • Additional trees and shrubs will be added along the residential boundary for improved privacy
  • The landscape buffer facing residents will include rockwork, mulching, and plantings to beautify the area and improve privacy

The memorial park has always been accessible to the public during opening hours, and this continues with the new fencing arrangement.