A cemetery more than three times the size of Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne is coming to Melton in 2025.
The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT) plans to begin construction of a memorial park in Harkness in the second half of next year.
The GMCT is currently in the process of developing designs for the 128 hectare cemetery – the largest in the last century.
It comes as the 2.5 hectare Melton Public Cemetery, established in 1861, reached full capacity recently.
The aim of the project is to serve communities on a local and regional scale for the next 80 to 100 years and accommodate for the rapid population growth in the west.
GMCT chief executive Andrew Eriksen said it marked a “new chapter” for Melton.
“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,” he said.
GMCT is seeking a principal design consultant to help finalise the multiple-stage plans, which will allow the space to evolve and adapt as the needs of the community change.
The initial phase of the project will focus on establishing essential services and infrastructure to provide traditional burial and memorialisation services.
Chief built environment officer James Reid said the importance of community involvement could not be overstated.
“We are creating an inclusive space that we believe will hold deep meaning and significance for everyone who visits,” he said.
Mr Reid said the input of Melton residents had been a “cornerstone” of the development.
“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.”
The memorial park has been a long time coming – in 1972, the state government allocated the land for cemetery use before entrusting the development to GMCT in 2010.
GMCTmanage and maintain 19 cemeteries across Melbourne and all associated burial, funeral, cremation, and interment services.
