Utility providers have the right to dig up footpaths and bitumen as necessary to repair or maintain their services, but council claims instead of taking responsibility for properly repairing work sites, they are "wandering off".

"Their work is creating trip hazards, for which we are liable if someone gets hurt, leaving our footpaths looking like somewhere in the West Bank on a good day," said shire acting roads and traffic manager Nathan Lammers.

Spokesperson for gas supplier Agility, Peter Wood, said council might need to look closer to home for answers before placing the blame with utility companies.

"If we get called to do a job in the Wingecarribee area, we go and do the job and fill the hole in as a temporary measure," Mr Wood said. "Then we gather the paperwork and forward to council and after they have fixed it, bill us.

"I have spoken with our restoration crews and they confirm that is the procedure for that area. In other places, Agility is responsible for the entire repair, but that is not the case in Wingecarribee."

Technical Operations Manager with Telstra Country Wide, Alan Maher, agreed that it was up to council to repair the damage caused by utility companies and send a bill.

"We have a memorandum of understanding which allows us to go in and carry out whatever work needs to be done," Mr Maher said. "We then send out a reinstatement order to council letting them know there is work to be repaired at a certain site."

Mr Lammers said that procedure of notification is what is supposed to happen, but thinks "contractors working on behalf of the utility companies haven't been (reporting)".

"We find out about it either when people complain or, in the worst case scenario, when people trip over."

Mr Lammers said pavers on the footpath were being ripped up and the holes were later filled with hot mix.

"We have been led to believe the pavers were thrown away," he said.

All parties suggested a communication breakdown seems to have led to the problems.

According to Mr Lammers, council is expected to call a meeting with utility companies in the near future and resolve the footpath furore.