Harkness Memorial Park represents a new typology of cemetery, one that foregrounds the natural landscape, direct public connections with the local community, and recognition of the Traditional Owners. The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT) has announced a significant milestone for the upcoming memorial park in Harkness with a groundbreaking ceremony marking the commencement of construction on the project. The event held recently on May 7 was led by the Elders of the Wurundjeri Woi wurrung community, utilising crafted digging sticks created by Craig Murphy (Wandin) a Wurundjeri artist.
Detailed designs for the memorial park have been developed by Principal Design Consultant, ASPECT Studios. ASPECT Studios is leading a multi-disciplinary approach to the project, fulfilling roles in landscape architecture, signage/wayfinding, and leading the Traditional Owner engagement (in collaboration with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation). Other consultants ASPECT has formed a collaborative team with include Architectus and WSP. Their efforts have built upon the existing multi-staged master plan, early design work, and extensive feedback gathered from the local community, Traditional Owners, and stakeholders.
At three times the size of Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, the design prioritizes creating a memorable place, as the first step in establishing a large scale new memorial park that will regenerate the existing farmland and remnant native ecology. The detailed designs undertaken by ASPECT Studios further guide the park’s development, drawing inspiration from the Western Victorian Volcanic Plains, the very local gilgai formations, and incorporating elements of the site’s distinctive ecology, geology, cultural landscapes, and local community.
“Our design vision is to create a sanctuary for all communities, cultures and faiths, but also one that is firmly grounded in the local landscape of Melton and the western volcanic plains and guided by the Wurundjeri Elders,”
Erwin Taal, Senior Associate at ASPECT Studios
The Traditional Owner engagement for this project strengthens and extends the design to honour Traditional Owner knowledge by embracing principles of Designing with Country and Caring for Country, and exploring sustainable practices including the use of local plants, materials, and suppliers.
Our understanding and guidance has ensured we followed cultural protocols and has supported the building of a strong relationship between GMCT and Wurundjeri Elders. These cultural protocols have also informed the design process and are shaping the landscape and places.
Given its scale of 128 hectares, Harkness Memorial Park will be developed in stages. The first stage, Stage 1A, will cover approximately 11 hectares and includes the ceremonial/sales and operations hub, and approximately 4,200 interment plots (out of an eventual 140,000). These plots will accommodate a mix of interments and cremated remains.
This first stage will lay the foundation for the park, creating initial spaces for ceremony, final resting places, and community use. With a primary footprint along the southern boundary, this stage will focus on establishing key infrastructure, enhancing the landscape, and ensuring a welcoming and functional space for families and visitors. Early Works and Main Works packages are planned, with construction expected to be complete by early 2027.
Images Credit: courtesy of ASPECT Studios