The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT) is developing Victoria’s largest new cemetery: Harkness Memorial Park. Opening in 2027 and located in the City of Melton, the park has been carefully planned to meet the diverse needs of Melbourne’s west.
Designing a modern memorial park goes far beyond creating physical spaces. Final resting places hold deep meaning, shaped by culture, tradition, and connection to place. That’s why GMCT has built Harkness Memorial Park with community input from the very beginning.
This engagement has gone well beyond collecting feedback. Through focus groups, surveys, and testing prototypes, we’ve worked with local communities to ensure the park’s spaces and memorial options reflect what people truly value.
“Harkness will have a range of options,” explains Mevlude (Mev) Tarevski, Senior Supervisor of Client Services at GMCT. “Different cultures, different religions – there are many different ways of honouring your loved ones.”
The park will feature distinctive memorial designs, including custom corten‑steel options that complement the natural landscape. Many of these memorial types will be offered for the first time at a GMCT location.
Community input has shaped everything from materials and designs to pricing structures, ensuring families can choose options that genuinely resonate with their beliefs and traditions.
Putting care at the centre
Meaningful memorial spaces are also about the people who support families through loss. Mev represents GMCT’s commitment to compassion, ensuring every person is treated with empathy and respect.
“I’m thinking about our community’s needs, focusing on empathy and clear communication,” she says. “I make sure everyone feels valued and cared for during what can be a difficult time.”
This philosophy of care is embedded across GMCT, guiding the planning of Harkness Memorial Park and the everyday service families will experience when they visit. When the park opens, staff like Mev will be there to welcome families with warmth and understanding.
Planning for your family’s future
As construction progresses, GMCT invites community members to submit an expression of interest for various memorial options. This helps us understand what matters most to families and ensures we can meet demand when the park opens in 2027.
Indicative pricing for final resting places is now available, with a tiered pricing structure designed to provide a range of memorial options for the diverse communities we serve.
Submitting an expression of interest is obligation‑free. It keeps you informed as memorial options are finalised and provides early access to secure a place for yourself or a loved one.
To learn more or register your interest, visit www.harkness.gmct.com.au/enquire or email harkness@gmct.com.au.
