Among the them is the payphone outside the O'Connell Hotel. Oberon Council has petitioned strongly against plans to remove this phone in the past, saying it was useful from a safety point of view.

That view was voiced again at Tuesday night's council meeting.

Councillor Bob Hooper said the payphone is handy in that location because there is a fire shed nearby and especially due to the fact the school bus stops in front of the hotel.

“If kids miss the bus, they can call home,” he said.

Other payphones to be removed located at Hampton near Wicketty War Road, and on the Tarana Road near Sydney Road in Oberon, just outside the Storm Water Cafe.

Telstra has told Oberon Council that it has ensured that the Oberon Council area still has sufficient payphones.

Council has decided to fight the planned removals, especially the removal of the O'Connell pay phone, which they consider to be of vital importance.

The Oberon community can voice their concerns about planned removal of these pay phones by writing to the Telstra Payphone Siting Manager at Locked Bag 6658 Sydney NSW 2001 or by calling 1800 011433 before mid May this year.