Harkness Cemetery

Canberra, Australia

Future Food were engaged by Architectus and their client, the Melbourne Cemetaries Trust in 2023 to assist with the design and development of the new Harkness Memorial Park. The venue is expected to have an operate for between 50-100 years. It is a unique project aspiration and requires a very forward looking strategy aligned with a long-term business feasibility approach.

Future Food’s scope of work included a F&B business case, design and supporting infrastructure recommendations for the site. In addition to the essential catering requirements associated with funeral services, the Trust had aspirations to provide a café and social setting where ad hoc events, family catch-ups and post-event gatherings could take place.

Given the nature of the site, a great deal of sensitivity was required in the development of the offer with a range of cultural and community strategy drivers in play.

The business case was developed for the first full year of operation 2027 and extrapolation out to 2040.