Telstra has confirmed community consultation to gauge feedback on the proposed tower will include a sign on the Howell Road adjacent to the site, letters to property owners and a webpage with information.

Mike Maron, Telstra regional general manager, said under the Federal Government's Mobile Blackspot Program, two mobile towers have been proposed at Howell and Copeton, to provide mobile coverage for customers in the area.

"This follows more than a year of assessing around 30 possible locations, and discussions with a large number of landowners within the area.

"No final decisions have been made, and the community has until December 18 to provide feedback on the proposal.

"We understand the community is genuinely concerned about the health effects from Electromagnetic Energy (EME), which is why we design our base stations to comply with the most stringent EME safety standards."

A member of the community can request additional time to make a submission. Any changes to the consultation end date will be published on Radio Frequency National Site Archive (RFNSA) website.

Residents can provide feedback via phone at 1300 745 210, email at twp_qldplanning@visionstream.com.au or post at PO Box 5452, West End QLD 4101.

EARLIER:

Although many have rejoiced at the announcement of a new mobile phone tower on the eastern side of Copeton Dam, residents within 200 metres of the proposed site have shared their concerns.

Mark Bockhodt and Kerrianne Wignall fear the proposed 50-metre high tower, at lot 171 Howell Road right next door, will decrease their land value and cause health issues with radiation.

Mark said around nine months ago a worker flying a drone above the site mentioned there may be a tower build on the lot but after further enquiries with Telstra, Mark was assured that wasn't true.

"Seeing the article on The Inverell Times website this week was the first official thing we saw about the tower going next door. We have no objections to the tower, it's great that it will provide service to Copeton and the area, but we don't want it 200 metres from us," he said.

Visionstream, the planning consultants appointed by Telstra, will gather feedback and field questions on the proposal. They've opened the window of feedback to a 21-day period which will close on December 18 at 5pm.

Mark, along with close neighbour Stacey Bilton, will submit strong rejection letters to the location proposed asking for any other site to be considered.

"Our property is directly across from this tower, there are two other houses directly affected as well; one of which every time they walk out of their front door, they will be looking at it," Stacey explained.

"We are a family of seven who not only rely heavily on mobile signal to be in contact with the outside world, but also for our home phone. Being so close to the tower we will lose signal and the tower will devalue our land substantially."

As any mother would, Stacey was concerned about the possible health implications the town may have on her family.

"Visionstream has another site at Copeton Dam that is not near any houses. There is a vast area of unoccupied land that would be more suited to the tower and the mobile signal issues around the dam."

As a ham radio operator, Mark said he was concerned the tower would interfere with his signal, or be asked to cease transmission.

After researching the issue, Mark claims the towers can cause interference to digital television and radio.

"I contacted the ACMA and was told that if it happened there would be nothing I could do except pay for satellite TV. Our small, off-the-grid solar system is already stretched to it's limit with what we have now, and we can't afford to do that. Why should we?"

Talking with a local historical society and spending time on the block, Mark believes there are some remains of an old homestead.

"There are miles of unoccupied land. I refuse to believe it needs to be placed here where it would destroy every reason we chose to come here to enjoy in our retirement. We are losing sleep just over this proposed tower and it's already affecting our health," he said.

Inverell Shire Council mayor Paul Harmon was aware residents had concerns with the proposed site and was in the process of making contact with Visionstream to discuss it further.

The mayor confirmed the Howell Road site was not the same site Council had originally recommended. "I believe Figtree Hill was our preferred location. Obviously this will all be part of the community consultation and feedback.

"We will be talking to Visionstream about the processes they put in place for safeguarding residents' health and safety," he said.

Details of the proposed tower can be found at https://www.rfnsa.com.au/2360025.

Mark stressed his support for the tower and providing service in mobile blackspots but pushed his concerns of the site location.