Project Cultivate

Visit Project Cultivate at Melbourne General CemeteryExternal site   Visit Project Cultivate at St Kilda Cemetery External site

The Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) has initiated an innovative approach to horticultural works aimed at enhancing the natural landscapes of our historical cemetery sites.

Known as Project Cultivate, the works involve planting locally native wildflowers, groundcovers, shrubs, and grasses to revitalise cemetery sites while complementing surrounding monuments, pathways, and facilities. Carried out in consultation with stakeholders, including families, the local community, and Traditional Custodians, the award-winning approach establishes beautiful, biodiverse cemetery environments that can be sustainably maintained.

Cultivating a Cemetery - Gardening Australia

View this video and article on Gardening AustraliaExternal site.

Project Cultivate aims to improve visitor experiences while enhancing the natural environment of our historical cemetery sites. The project also strives to drive meaningful conversations about sustainability and revegetation, hoping to create a shared vision for the horticultural future of Victorian cemeteries.

Since launching in early 2023, the initiative has transformed the landscape of Melbourne General Cemetery (MGC) from barren soil to thriving native ecosystems.

The approach has now been applied to St Kilda Cemetery, where engagement with families, Bunurong Land Council, City of Port Phillip and the local community helped inform the locally native planting selections. More than 150,000 wildflowers, groundcovers and shrubs have now been added to this historic site.

For more information about the project, visit;

Project Cultivate is bringing new life to the landscapes of St Kilda Cemetery through the introduction of indigenous and native plant species that reflect the site's local ecology and cultural heritage. Developed in partnership with Traditional Custodians, the project is creating spaces that support wildlife, strengthen connections to Country and provide opportunities for the community to participate in shaping the cemetery's future. With a strong focus on plants that support the unique microclimates of the site, interpretive signage is available to help visitors explore the site. Learn more about upcoming activities and ways to get involved by visiting Project Cultivate at St Kilda CemeteryExternal site. 

Since May 2023, Project Cultivate has been increasing diversity at Melbourne General Cemetery. The Project won the 2024 Tidy Cities Sustainability Award and was nominated for the prestigious national Banksia Environment Award. Over 500,000 native plants have been added through the project, increasing biodiversity and improving the community amenity of this beautiful site. To get involved in community planting days, citizen science or other activities at Melbourne General Cemetery, or find out more about what’s happening on site, please visit Project Cultivate at Melbourne General CemeteryExternal site.

For school or stakeholder engagement, please contact the Environment team at environment@smct.org.au

Enhancing the natural environment of our historical cemetery sites

Strong community partners are key to Project Cultivate’s success. Working in collaboration with Traditional Custodians and community, the program has added more than 500,000 native grasses, wildflowers and groundcovers to Melbourne General Cemetery and more than 150,000 to St Kilda Cemetery. The final phase of planting at Melbourne General Cemetery was conducted in partnership with the City of Melbourne with matched funding through the Urban Forest Fund.

• Reduction in herbicide use.

• 3°C reduction in ambient air temperature around mulched and planted areas.

• Improved soil quality and reduction in erosion, runoff and water pooling.

• Small birds using grasslands for gathering nesting materials and feeding.

• Increased insect activity including grasshoppers, moths, and native bees, butterflies and beneficial insects.

• Plants dropping and spreading seed, propagating themselves and creating a self-sustaining population.

The program also provides opportunities for citizen science, planting days and activities, engagement with Traditional Custodians and the community, and education and research for schools and tertiary institutions.

For school or stakeholder engagement, please contact the Environment team at environment@smct.org.au