THE Pyrenees Shire may lose four of it's payphones after Telstra said a drop in demand meant they were no longer required.The four payphones under threat are in Ampitheatre, Moonambel, Redbank, Trawalla.Council officers were notified of Telstra's decision via email on January 27.The email said the payphones had consistently dropped in usage, indicating demand for the service was no longer required.The Pyrenees Shire Mayor Cr Robert Vance said council was aghast when it first heard the decision."It sort of came out of the blue," he said."There's no mobile reception in these areas and it's a tourist destination with the wineries."You've only got to look at the terrible situation with the fires to know that if you're from somewhere else in Australia with no mobile coverage the first thing you look for is a phone booth."Ampitheatre Post Office worker Karina Mansfield echoed Cr Vance's concerns."I think it's shocking because the locals use it. I know there's a few people in town who don't have a phone or you don't always get reception," she said.Last week a public meeting was held at the Moonambel Hotel where over fifty concerned residents met with Telstra area general manager for southwest Victoria Bill Mundy.Hotel manager Amber Francis said they had collected over 100 signatures from residents and tourists to keep the phone booth."Everyone wants the phone to stay and I think it's ridiculous if they remove it," she said."Not only is there bad mobile reception but a lot of locals can't afford a mobile."Mr Mundy said Telstra had now entered into a negotiation phase with the council and residents to discuss the need for the phones."This will provide the community with an opportunity to talk to us about the value of the payphone service to their community," he said."Payphones as a technology are becoming outdated as people turn to alternative forms of communication."The reality is the revenue we receive from the phone is outweighed by the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the phone."Cr Vance said they would be forwarding the petition to the Federal Government, along with a motion from council that the payphones remain open."At the end of the day it's a decision that's going to have to be supported by the Federal Government," he said."If the phone booths don't pay their way they're a cost and Telstra is concerned for shareholders."But until such time as there is mobile coverage we hope they feel obliged."There are still payphones in Landsborough, Avoca, Beaufort, Lexton and Waubra.Telstra will accept comments from residents until April 22.