Our team is successful because of the enthusiasm, complimentary skill sets, and genuine desire of our planners to deliver great outcomes.
George Milford
Director
George has a diverse and colourful breadth of experience in both design and urban and regional planning. Educated at the University of Queensland, George completed a Bachelor of Design Studies 2003 and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning 2005.
George is the sole director and principal of Milford Planning, which has evolved from the successful firm Wolter Rowlands Town Planning Group, established by George in conjunction with Wolter Consulting Group (Brisbane) and Rowlands Surveys (Townsville) in 2007.
Prior to this he was a town planner for the Cardwell Shire, based in Tully, Far North Queensland.
George has been an active member of the Planning Institute of Australia, and is involved in the Townsville Chamber of Commerce, Townsville Enterprise, North Queensland Club and Urban and Development Institute of Australia. He is a member of Townsville City Council’s Industry Reference Group, and has been on the board of Townsville’s WNBL team the JCU Townsville Fire since 2014.
Sarah Jones
Senior Town Planner
Sarah Jones has been a practicing town planner internationally since 1998, and moved to Townsville in 2007.
Sarah has joined the Milford Planning team in 2016, having broadened her professional experience to encompass project management and development marketing and sales with a local development group.
Sarah has broad experience in both the Local Government and private consultancy sectors, and holds university qualifications in urban and regional planning. Sarah is an experienced consultant planner who has successfully managed a diverse portfolio of clients, along with residential, commercial, industrial and masterplanned developments from stakeholder engagement, through to construction and delivery to the market.
Sarah has practiced in all areas of town planning and during her career has developed a specific interest in client and approvals management and delivering sustainable development solutions and outcomes for clients and the broader community.
Matteo Sandona
Senior Town Planner
Matteo has been a part of the Milford Planning team since 2016 when he joined as a
Student Planner during the final year of his Bachelor of Planning (Honours) degree at
James Cook University. Since being appointed a Town Planner in October 2016, Matteo
has been involved in an expansive range of planning projects and has developed an
extensive knowledge of both the profession and the region.
During his time in the profession he has worked with local government to prepare and
implement new planning schemes, completed development assessment work for local
government, worked with developers to secure development approvals for major projects
in the region, and worked to develop and implement operational improvements within
Milford Planning.
Matteo grew up on a sugarcane farm in the Burdekin, where he worked as a farmhand on
a part time basis while completing his education. This background, coupled with his
professional work within the region, has resulted in a comprehensive understanding of our
rural and urban environments.
Outside of the workplace, Matteo enjoys travelling to explore and learn as much as
possible about new destinations.
Lachlan Pether
Town Planner
Lachlan joined Milford Planning in February 2022, undertaking the role of a Student Planner, whilst completing his final year of study in a Bachelor of Planning at James Cook University. Following completion of his studies, Lachlan transitioned into a Graduate Town Planner role before becoming a Town Planner in September 2023.
Lachlan is looking forward to continuing to progress his all round planning capabilities in the local and regional spaces, under the guidance of the Milford Planning team.
When not working, Lachlan enjoys spending time with friends and family, and will often spend his spare time fishing in and around the Townsville region.
Macy Atkinson
Town Planner
Macy joined Milford Planning in mid 2022 as a Student Planner in her penultimate year of undergraduate study. She has since completed a Bachelor of Urban Development (Urban and Regional Planning) at Queensland University of Technology and has progressed to a Town Planner role. She is eager to explore the practical applications of her studies in the real world and engage with a broad range of projects under the guidance of the Milford Planning team.
As a young girl, Macy spent time living in Hong Kong, and travelling through Asia and Europe. It was during this time that her interest in the built environment first began. In her free time, Macy enjoys studying languages, travelling, and spending time with her friends, family, and her dogs.
Monique Chalk
Office Administrator
Monique joined Milford Planning in 2024 and immediately made a positive contribution to our team. She is the friendly voice behind the phone and is the face of our reception, ensuring a warm welcome for everyone into our office.
Monique holds a Bachelor of Business, graduating in 2016 from James Cook University and has since concluded a range of previous work experience including ten years in hospitality, and three years in real estate. In addition to her various backgrounds and diverse roles, Monique brings a wealth of knowledge to our team including Human Resources, Event Planning, Business Development, and Marketing.
Born and raised in a small country town in Northwest Queensland, Monique made the move to Townsville to complete her university studies. Outside of work, Monique is a first time homeowner and is passionate about small home DIY and styling projects.
We strive to constantly employ student planners to provide practical planning experience within the industry, and support and promote personal and professional growth.
This is our way of contributing to the next generation of planners for our region. It also helps our firm, with the support of James Cook University, cultivate a supply of confident, well adjusted, and experienced graduate planners, whilst delivering our planning services in a cost effective manner.
Regina Sarunn
Student Planner
Presently, Regina is studying a Bachelor of Planning at James Cook University and has joined Milford Planning as a Student Planner early 2021. She looks forward to gaining experience and developing professional skills with Milford Planning.
In her free time, Regina enjoys learning new languages including Japanese and Korean, and enjoys playing piano and creating art. Regina is fluent in English, Cambodian, and is proficient in Japanese.
Henry Wells
Student Planner
Henry is studying a Bachelor of Planning at James Cook University and joined Milford Planning as a Student Planner in late 2022. He is looking forward to learning how the planning system works in practice and furthering his knowledge, skills, and professionalism.
When not working, Henry enjoys bushwalking and spending time with family and friends.