Fence issue

Today I recieved notification from my local council that I am required to cut back my native hedge to the "fenceline" so they can undertake footpath stuff. Heck, I have spent the last year growing it. This will completley stuff up my hedge plan. I have 14 days to do this or they will do it for me and charge me. I wonder how much they charge? Perhaps it is cheaper than my buying a hedge trimmer or equivalent. In general, I think my local council is quite good - well, with the exception of Mr T's Mrs T from the A team at the rubbish dump. I guess it could have been worse. It could have been a bill for my excess water usage. But council grrrr. They really could do their footpath stuff without me having to completely stuff up my hedge for local body requirements.