Queensland Planning and Cities Leader at Arup

Seija Wellington leads Arup’s Planning and Cities business in Queensland, where she brings over two decades of experience shaping the future of urban and regional environments. A strategic thinker and collaborator, Seija has worked across state, local government and the private sector, that has given her a unique ability to bridge policy, planning, and delivery.

At Arup, Seija is known for her ability to navigate complexity — whether it’s unlocking infrastructure opportunities, guiding energy transition strategies, or leading multi-disciplinary teams across sectors like transport, ports, and precinct development. Her approach is grounded in evidence-based design and a commitment to creating places for the people who live and work in them.

Social license is created through engaging with diverse stakeholders — from community groups to government leaders — to co-create solutions that are not only technically sound but socially supported. Her work is driven by a belief that great planning can enable economic transformation and build lasting public trust.

Before joining Arup, Seija was Executive Director of Regional and Spatial Planning at the Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning (DSDILGP), where she led major regional and precinct planning initiatives across the state.