COMMUNITY opposition to a proposed telecommunications tower at Dereel is growing.Earlier this month Optus submitted plans for a 50m high communications tower with a 15m by 11m perimeter.The proposed location is next to the Dereel fire station and Dereel Soldiers' Memorial Hall and Community Centre in Swamp Rd.However, locals have become upset about the location which is also only metres from a basketball court, playground and homes.Damien Vella, a resident of Dereel for 10 years, said he was not against improved internet and mobile phone coverage, but the proposed location.Mr Vella said many in the community had moved to Dereel for its rural lifestyle."It is 35m from that fence line to my fence line," he said."I'm a Department of Veterans' Affairs disability pensioner and the main reason I have moved here is for peace and serenity and my health."I'm not against (telecommunications) improvements, it is the location of this tower in the middle of the township and in the middle of the playground that is the problem."Optus spokesman Joshua Drayton said the site was selected because it was the best location."Mobile facilities need to be built within close proximity to major population areas to ensure a sufficient level of coverage," he said."Mobile base stations transmit and receive low-powered radio signals to communicate with mobile phones."Base stations are typically installed in areas so that the public's exposure is typically hundreds, if not thousands of times, below the safety guideline level."Mr Drayton said residents had until until January 17 to lodge their submissions with Golden Plains Shire Council.Anyone concerned about radio tower transmissions and guidelines should visit www.acma.gov.au and www.arpansa.gov.auemepubs.htm.