Director Matters | Trenton Fithall, August 21, 2026

Published on 21 August 2026

This is a little different for me. I am far more accustomed to working behind the scenes, supporting councillors and helping deliver council services than writing directly to our community. 

For those who do not know me, I am the Director Infrastructure and Amenity at council. I have been with council since 2012, having previously completed an engineering cadetship here. Since being appointed director in 2019, I have overseen a broad range of services that help shape the liveability of our municipality. 

Many of these services are highly visible and impact everyday life, from maintaining roads and public spaces to managing waste, community safety, planning and other regulatory functions. Together, they help preserve and enhance the things that make our region a great place to live, work and visit. 

While some services are required by legislation, many are delivered because they have been identified by council and the community as important priorities. Our role is to provide services that are safe, reliable and fit for purpose while making the best use of available resources. 

I am fortunate to work alongside a passionate and dedicated team made up of skilled professionals and experienced local people who care deeply about our communities. Every day they apply a diverse range of technical expertise, practical knowledge and problem-solving skills to meet the challenges that come with delivering services across a large rural shire. 

Given the customer-facing nature of many of our services, a significant proportion of council's customer requests and enquiries are managed by my teams. Community Safety, Road Maintenance and Waste Management generate the highest levels of interaction. During 2025/26, my team received more than 5500 enquiries relating to these services, averaging about 22 enquiries for every working day. 

Demand for services continues to grow, with enquiries increasing by about 4.5 per cent annually. Like many regional councils, we face the challenge of balancing increasing community expectations and service demands within a financially constrained environment. Despite these pressures, our focus remains on delivering the essential services our community relies upon every day. 

Local government is a complex and rewarding sector. Having strong local connections can at times bring additional pressures, but it also provides the opportunity to contribute directly to outcomes that benefit the communities we live in and care about. After more than a decade with council, I have had the privilege of seeing many projects and initiatives progress from concept to completion. 

I remain proud of what we have achieved together and grateful for the support of council, staff and the community. I look forward to sharing future editions of this column and providing a glimpse behind the curtain into the people, services and projects that help keep our community thriving.

• Trenton Fithall is Northern Grampians Shire Council’s Director Infrastructure and amenities.