Victorian retiree wins battle to have light pole removed from her front yard

A 71-year-old retiree has won her battle against VicRoads after a street light was erected in her front yard without her permission.

Leonie Thompson, who has lived in her Hampton Park home for 41 years, said she had received no consultation and no warning before the eyesore was planted in front of her house.

VicRoads originally defended the placement of the pole, saying it was installed in that location so it could access "critical, fixed underground services".

"The light was installed at this precise location to improve visibility and ensure appropriate safety standards," VicRoads project director Charlie Broadhurst said in a statement.

Ms Thompson said when she first saw the new addition to her neatly-kept yard she went into "absolute shock".

"I pulled into my driveway and just sobbed my heart out," she said.

"I thought, 'you bullies, you're not going to get away with this'."

Ms Thompson revealed on the TODAY show this morning that VicRoads had backed down and she had been informed that the pole would now be moved tomorrow or Wednesday.

She said she was happy that VicRoads had listened to her complaint.

"I must admit they've listened. We've communicated on a very good level. All I want for now is for this never to happen to anyone else," she told Karl Stefanovic.

"It's not rocket science, we need to be able to talk to each other, and they realise that now."

Ms Thompson said she had been told that the pole would be moved to the property next door.

"It's going next door on the pavement. As long as it’s not on my property I really don’t care," she joked.