How do we strike the right balance between economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social needs in land use planning?
New Zealand’s primary industry is undergoing a profound transformation, shaped by shifting regulations, environmental pressures, and evolving market demands. Nowhere is this change more evident than in the growing tension between urban expansion and rural land use. As towns and cities expand, the encroachment of development onto productive rural land—known as ‘urban-rural creep’—is raising critical questions about how we accommodate a growing population while preserving the primary sector. This month’s VIBE event explores this challenge, featuring special guest George Sariak, Senior Strategy Planner at Selwyn District Council, who will share insights into how one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing districts is managing this complex evolution.
Selwyn District Council is at the forefront of navigating the pressures of urban expansion while ensuring that rural land remains a viable and sustainable asset. As a leader in strategic planning, George Sariak plays a key role in shaping policies that guide land use, infrastructure development, and environmental stewardship. He will discuss how Selwyn is addressing the tensions between housing demand, rural productivity, and long-term sustainability through smart zoning, planning frameworks, and collaborative community engagement. With increasing pressures from climate change, freshwater management, and biodiversity conservation, understanding the intersection of urban and rural land use has never been more crucial.
Join us as we unpack the challenges and opportunities presented by urban-rural creep and explore what the future holds for the industry.
Tuesday 29th April
4.00pm - 5.30pm
Mrs O's Cafe, Lincoln University
We hope to see you there!
Timings
4.00pm - Guests arrive for networking
4.10pm - Introduction for Lincoln University Provost, Prof. Chad Hewitt
4.15pm - Overview from Dr. Shannon Davis, Lincoln University about what LU is doing in this space
4.20pm - Presentation from Keynote Speaker
4:45pm - Q&A Session
5.00pm - Networking
5.30pm - Event finishes
About Our Speaker
George Sariak, Senior Strategy Planner, Selwyn District Council
George Sariak is the Strategy Team Leader at Selwyn District Council. Originally from South Wales, George moved to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2020 working at a planning consultancy in Tauranga before moving south and joining Selwyn District Council in 2021. George holds an MSc Spatial Planning with Sustainable Urban Design from the University of Dundee. George’s mahi has been primarily focused on managing urban growth through the development of spatial plans and strategies. This includes the draft of Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn that is currently out for public consultation.
