The company has called a temporary halt to the work on a section of Portobello Rd, which began last week, after resident and city councillor John Bezett objected.
Delta staff had begun work to replace a power pole and lines in the area around 240 Portobello Rd, where a slip posed a hazard, Delta asset management general manager Derek Todd said.
The work had been put on hold after Cr Bezett - who lives nearby - lodged a complaint late last week, Mr Todd confirmed.
Cr Bezett's complaint related to the visual impact from his home, as well as possible construction disruption, Mr Todd said.
''It's far from clear to me exactly what that [visual] impact is. We're removing several trees that might well improve the view.
''We're doing it because there's a slip, and obviously that represents a hazard, and we need to remove it,'' Mr Todd said.
Cr Bezett, contacted for comment yesterday, said his complaint was about the company's process, not the visual impact, but declined to elaborate on the details.
He contacted the company after noticing work begin last week, but had gone through ''proper channels'' by using the company's standard complaints process, rather than contacting Delta chief executive Grady Cameron.
Cr Bezett said he was acting as any resident was entitled to in complaining about the work, and ''certainly not'' in his councillor capacity.
''It's to do with my private dwelling. I haven't tried to pull any strings or anything like that.
''Just like anybody else, if I'm not happy about the process, I'll say so. I don't know how it's going to be resolved, but at the moment Delta have done everything absolutely by the book.''
He stressed he had a ''good relationship'' with the company and its staff, and had not sought to publicise the issue until contacted by the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
Mr Todd said the landowner at 240 Portobello Rd had been consulted about the work, and surrounding neighbours were notified by letter drop earlier this month.
The $45,000 project involved removing a pole and reconfiguring the overhead line on two new poles, he said.
Unstable site conditions meant an underground line or shifting poles was not possible, but failure to act risked a lengthy power cut that could last ''several weeks'', he said.
Cr Bezett was the only neighbour to complain about the work, but his objection was being treated ''as we would any other customer relationship during active works''.
''We're working with John to evaluate the best means of undertaking that realignment, as a potentially affected party.
''We're entirely comfortable with where we're at with John at the moment.''
Delta staff would meet Cr Bezett later this week for a site visit and to discuss details of the project, Mr Todd said.
