THE debate surrounding power poles on Exeter Road will be addressed at the 2014 Local Government Conference.
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The matter has caused concerns among Exeter residents and council since 2012.
After two years of complaints to and meetings withEndeavour Energy, Councillor Ian Scandrett is taking the issue to the conference in October this year.
"Our paper will recommend to all councils that councils become the roadside verges consent authority along with RMS and police," Cr Scandrett said.
"The overall issue is who controls what happens on our verges, roadsides and footpaths as Endeavour and other "utilities" (most are for profit now) just do what they want.
"This includes tree butchering and planning tree and pole placement."
Cr Scandrett said consultations with Endeavour Energy this year had not satisfied council's concerns.
"Road safety is the most important issue as lives are being lost and people are being severely injured by hitting poles and trees," Cr Scandrett said.
"Many roadside poles in Penrose and Wingello are just a metre from the bitumen, like Exeter Road and Mt Broughton Road.
"More poles (delivered over a year ago) are due to go up on Mount Broughton Road near Werai Tea House and the pegs indicate near road locations, not back on the fence or in paddocks."
Among safety issues are concerns for the traffic hazards the poles pose, their lack of visual appeal and the butchering of several trees to install the poles.
Exeter resident and former Exeter Village Association president John McNamara raised these concerns with Endeavour Energy back in 2012 when the poles first posed problems.
"The first we knew about the poles was when they appeared on our roads," Mr McNamara said.
"The community was never involved in discussions with Endeavour Energy."
Prior to the pole's instalment, council were undertaking road works at the Exeter Village Shop intersection and Mr McNamara said Endeavour Energy had the opportunity to build the electrical lines underground at the time.
"The two big poles in that intersection compound the traffic hazard already there," he said.
After sending several emails to Endeavour Energy, Mr McNamara said the only compromise the energy company made was to change the colour of the poles to make them more appealing.
"They haven't taken into consideration the nature of this area, pedestrian and traffic safety and they have butchered dozens of trees," he said.
"We would like to see these utility companies stop littering our vegetation."
Previously an Endeavour Energy spokeswoman told Southern Highland News "safety is our top priority".
"The upgrade is replacing equipment that is old and in very poor condition to secure the safety and reliability of electricity supply to customers in Moss Vale, Exeter and Sutton Forest," she said.
"Consultation with the local community has helped us achieve the best balance of environmental, design, economic and social considerations in delivering this upgrade."
