Residents, who filled the Camden Civic Centre at last Tuesday night's council meeting, were ecstatic when the council rejected Telstra's application to construct a 25 metre high monopole, a 4.5 metre antennae, an equipment shelter and a security fence at 293 Eastwood Road.

The site is in the future Leppington precinct of the south-west growth centre.

Telstra general manager for Sydney Jon Grahame said he was ``surprised and disappointed with the decision''.

``We're keen to get this facility into Leppington to enhance coverage,'' he said.

``The area we were going to put it in is by far from an engineering perspective an optimal place.''

Residents Ted Cassidy and Lyn Cairncross told the meeting health effects from the tower were a real community concern.

``Our biggest worry is the health risk,'' Ms Cairncross said.

``In your (council) hands lies the responsibility to plan a safe and sustainable future.''

Mayor Chris Patterson said the council would go to court if they had to.

``Let's not live in fear if we have to, we have to,'' he told the meeting.

``I firmly believe we're making the right decision.''