Groundbreaking cemetery grasslands finalist in national Banksia Awards

In April, Project Cultivate, a native grassland ‘rewilding’ initiative at Melbourne General Cemetery (MGC), was celebrated as a Biodiversity Award finalist in the 36th Banksia National Sustainability Awards.

The nomination recognises the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) project’s planting of more than 260,000 locally native plants and grasses to introduce open space and improve cemetery biodiversity while complementing surrounding monuments, pathways, and facilities.

Where traditional cemetery plants have not been viable, Project Cultivate is succeeding in bringing new life to previously ‘unplantable’ areas of Melbourne General Cemetery.

To date, 3,100m3 of mulch – almost 39,000 wheelbarrows’ worth – and 261,727 indigenous grasses have been planted across over 32 hectares of the cemetery. The grasslands are modelled after the landscape that existed before the construction of the cemetery, established in 1852.

“SMCT is honoured to be recognised for this innovative contribution to national biodiversity and sustainability efforts. We are in privileged company with the other Banksia Awards finalists, and it is wonderful to be recognised in this way as we consolidate heritage with horticulture in the heart of Melbourne,” says SMCT CEO Ingrid Harvey.

“It is meaningful, tangible, and genuinely groundbreaking; not just for Melbourne General Cemetery and SMCT, but as a blueprint of possibility for cemeteries across Australia.”

With community for community

Carried out in consultation with families, the local community and Traditional Owners, Project Cultivate helps balance the unique needs of a working cemetery with the sacred contract to care for the land in perpetuity for all Victorians. Already, visitors to the cemetery can see native birds and insects enjoying a revitalised habitat.

“This is biodiversity and sustainability in action, encompassing everything we’re about as an organisation. To continue regenerating some of Victoria’s grassland habitats is incredibly exciting,” says SMCT Horticultural Assets Manager Helen Tuton.

“We’re listening to what the land needs. We’re working with our neighbours, colleagues, Traditional Owners, and the community to explore what could be and how we can re-imagine a more sustainable future together.”

With less than 2% of Victoria’s grasslands remaining, the ability to reintroduce a critically endangered ecosystem and create a biodiverse, publicly accessible flourishing native grassland to the heart of Melbourne’s CBD into perpetuity is significant.

Now entering the final phase of works, Project Cultivate will see the recreation of a self-sustaining grassland ecosystem across just over half of the Melbourne General Cemetery grounds.

“Cemeteries are about legacy, and Project Cultivate is one more way we can create and support a living legacy,” says Helen.

“Each plant sown is a step towards a greener and more sustainable version of Melbourne General Cemetery. This self-sustaining landscape will be here for another 150 years.”

For more information and fact sheets on plants visit smct.org.au/cultivate