Dozens of trees were heavily pruned in August this year, leaving the eastern canopy significantly altered.

When questioned, Essential Energy confirmed it had completed works in August along Trail Street that could “affect visual amenity”.

Essential Energy community relations manager, Karen Roscoe, said it was a matter of safety.

“Trees growing in close proximity to overhead power lines can pose serious hazards to people, wildlife and the surrounding environment with potential for bushfires, property damage, injury and unplanned power outages,” Ms Roscoe said.

“Essential Energy’s cyclical vegetation management program ensures minimum safety clearances are maintained between trees and overhead power lines and helps to minimise the trimming required in the future, while also maintaining a reliable power supply.

“While this can affect visual amenity, these techniques are considered best practice throughout the arboriculture industry and are used by most power companies in Australia.”

It comes after council unveiled its revised Street Tree Policy to “enhance and beautify the streetscapes for the community, while providing amenity for the city”.

The policy is designed to further “ameliorate the environment in the nearby vicinity”.

Commercial operations director Caroline Angel said council did not have the authority to undertake vegetation management near power lines and that Essential Energy was responsible for the management.

“On this occasion it is not council’s responsibility, however, when council needs to work on major trees pruning or removal council contacts affected residents,” Ms Angel said.