At the May council meeting Mayor Abb McAlister said Essential Energy had mutilated some trees in Cootamundra last year.

He asked Wayne Bennett, manager of waste, parks and recreation, to explain how the new policy could prevent this happening again.

Mr Bennett said authorities that regularly prune trees at present use very poor techniques.

"The problem is they go in for one purpose only, to prune trees for clearance between the tree and the power line.

"They remove liability from themselves to us.

"It's our asset and those trees pruned in the shape of a vase become quite structurally unsound and become a risk to the community and a cost to us."

"We've now developed a policy which will force them to use proper aboricultural practices, which will mean no more 'vase' pruning."

Mr Bennett said the council had been hamstrung in controlling authorities such as electricity, gas and telecommunications working within council land because it didn't have a clear policy.

"Until a policy is adopted it's hard for us to negotiate and say 'this is how we expect it to be done'."

The draft policy is available for public viewing and comment at council chambers, and can be accessed online on pages 166-181 of the agenda of the May meeting.

Councillors Sheahan and Graham raised issues such as responsibility for root damage to pipes and footpaths by privately-owned trees, and removal of old trees overhanging neighbours' properties.

Mr Bennett said people didn't realise the complexity of some of these issues, especially under the new biodiversity conservation act.

"We really want to stimulate public conversation," he said.