Wentworth Falls residents are venting their anger at Vodafone and Optus, claiming there was minimal consultation about a proposal for a mobile base station in the village’s shopping centre.

The telecommunications companies want to install three panel antennas in line with existing chimneys on the roof of 22 Station Street to service a 2100 megahertz data and voice mobile phone network.

The antennas would be covered by a shroud that matches the colour of the chimney.

Vodafone head of public relations Greg Spears told the Gazette last week “the consultation process has been extremely thorough”, but residents and business owners beg to differ.

About 470 people signed a petition of concern circulating in just three days last week.

Wentworth Falls business proprietor Lorraine White said the problem is only a small number of people were notified of the proposal and an information meeting held on June 24.

“Ninety per cent of the petitioners had no knowledge of this development before they sighted the petition,” said Mrs White.

“I received details of the information night a week before — at that time I had no idea that a lease had already been signed with the owners of 22 Station Street.”

Mrs White said there is concern the antennas will compromise the heritage streetscape of the village and would cause health and safety worries to residents and visitors.

Mr Spears said a lease is yet to be signed by all parties.

The consultation process, according to Vodafone, involved one advertisement in the classifieds section of the Blue Mountains Gazette on June 11, an information evening on June 24, notification letters to council, other local community and government representatives and a letterbox drop to 121 residential and commercial properties.

A cut off date for submissions was set for July 1. The deadline for written submissions was extended slightly following the information night, until July 4 for the general public and July 9 for the Wentworth Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Vodafone and Optus view their proposal as ‘low impact’ under the Telecommunications Determination (1997), a category that does not require a development application to be lodged.

Mrs White's husband, Ron, told the Gazette residents want an extension for written submissions until the end of July due to inadequate notification.

“I've read the regulations and I don't believe this is a low impact facility,” said Mr White.

“We want council to assist with the consultation process and provide technical and planning backup.”

Chris Katti, who lives within 400 metres of the proposed facility, said he did not receive written notification.

“Some shopkeepers and residents got letters, others didn't,” he said.

“All the residents are up in arms about it — there is a general consensus in Wentworth Falls they've snuck this in.”

Mr Spears ruled out further extending the deadline for written submissions.

“Vodafone will continue to consult and respond to issues of concern and provide information about the proposal if contacted by people from Wentworth Falls,” he said.