Works have begun on a 316-acre cemetery in Harkness, with the site representing the largest cemetery development in Victoria for over 100 years.
Developed and managed by The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT), the beginning of the first stage of construction of Harkness Memorial Park on Harkness Road was marked with a ground breaking event on Wednesday, May 7.
The site was allocated by the state to be used as a cemetery in 1972, and it is designed to serve the community for the next 80 to 100 years.
GMCT chair Michael Doery said that the ground breaking event was “the realisation of a vision that has been many years in the making.”
“This moment represents the foundation of something much bigger. This is not a one-off project or infrastructure build, it’s a legacy in the making,” Mr Doery said.
According to GMCT, honouring Country and its cultural significance were central to the celebrations, where Colin Hunter Jnr Jnr welcomed attendees, and performances by the Djirri Djirri dancers and Uncle Kutcha Edwards were presented on the farmland that will soon be transformed.
Wurundjeri Traditional Owners undertook the first dig using specially commissioned digging sticks handcrafted by artist Craig Murphy-Wandin, followed by GMCT and Melton council representatives.
Melton mayor Steve Abboushi said that with the municipality’s current cemetery almost at capacity, “it is heartening to see this development progressing, and that our community will have a lovely space locally where they can remember their loved ones for many years to come.”
As part of the first construction stage, 2000 trees will be planted at the site.
The first stage of Harkness Memorial Park is expected to open in early 2027.
