Groundbreaking Marks Milestone for Harkness Memorial Park: Detailed Designs Revealed

Date: May 08, 2025

Category: Project updates

ASPECT Studios Mel Harkness Groundbreaking 03

ASPECT Studios Mel Harkness Groundbreaking 04

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), for the upcoming memorial park in Harkness, Melbourne’s west, has announced a significant milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony that took place this week on 7 May. This event marks the commencement of construction for the much-anticipated project.

The groundbreaking ceremony 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.

ASPECT Studios Mel Harkness Groundbreaking 05

ASPECT Studios Mel Harkness Groundbreaking 01

ASPECT Studios Mel Harkness Groundbreaking 02

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, ASPECT Studios

Speaking of the cemeteries' architectural features, Sophie Cleland, Principal at Architectus, said:

" We have approached the design of the architecture to enhance the sense of place. A long low façade slips across the plains in an elongated brick which has a deep earthy tone. The building serves multiple uses both public and private with the roof line reflecting the internal activities that also punctuates the skyline. A welcome and generous entry canopy pushes out toward the road and then wraps around the facade providing a covered way to the ceremony garden."

ASPECT Studios Mel Harkness Cemetery Render 01

ASPECT Studios Mel Harkness Cemetery Render 02

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.

Speaking about ceremony, Anne-Marie Pisani, ASPECT First Peoples’ Partnerships Design Lead, said:

" With the sun's rays shining directly onto the Djirri Djirri dancers as they shared their cultural practice, and a small parting in the vast grey clouds above Uncle Kutcha Edwards as he sang, we all sensed the deep connections of this place with community and were honoured to be part of it. This was reiterated by Uncle Kutcha, who spoke about the importance of ensuring cultural protocols are followed."

" The significance of Bunjil (wedge-tailed eagle) flying overhead during the ceremony was deeply felt by all, particularly amongst Wurundjeri Elders and all Aboriginal attendees. "

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.

The successful groundbreaking ceremony, held on 7 May, was attended by:

Wurundjeri Traditional Owner, GMCT Board members and executives, Melton City Council Dignitaries