People living nearby the proposed tower believe there is a real potential threat to their health.

They say a Telstra tower will cause property prices to plummet, be an eyesore for the neighbourhood and cast shadows onto nearby houses.

An angry mob of residents met at the proposed site, which is just behind the Masonic Centre, to reject a statement from Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association chief executive officer Chris Althaus.

Mr Althaus had said there was “no credible scientific evidence of health effects from living or working near a mobile phone base station”.

But Michelle Gooley, who lives nearby, said there was no “credible scientific evidence” to prove the mobile phone towers were safe either.

Keith Sheehan, another neighbour, said other credible internet sites like www.notowersnearschools.com said there were health risks.

“A question for Mr Althaus: Do you have a 21.362 metre tower approximately 32 metres from your dining table - as we will have if this one goes ahead?” Mr Sheehan said.

“If not, why not if they are as safe as you say they are?

The residents said the tower would put the health of Kelso’s most vulnerable - children at Kelso High and the elderly at Ilumba Gardens – at risk. Both facilities are within 150 metres of the site.

Voices were raised, with statements tumbling over the tops of others in an emotional conversation at the site.

“There are children that way and there are children that way,” said one neighbour, pointing animatedly.

“The mayor told us we would have an extension for our submissions and the day he tells us they are already pegging it out,” said another.

One irate resident said: “They [Althaus] accused us of being ignorant. This will devalue our property prices. Do rates drop in line with the property prices when they do?”