At its meeting in Gisborne last week, the council cited five reasons for its refusal.

Aurecon had proposed to build a 34.5-metre-high phone tower for Optus along Colwells Road.

Six objections were received by the council. At a meeting in October, no compromise could be reached between the council, objectors and Aurecon.

Aurecon made a number of changes to its original application, including decreasing the size of the tower.

At its meeting last week, the council stated that the area was recognised for its high-quality open rural landscapes and the proposal would be inconsistent with the Macedon Ranges planning scheme and should not be supported.

Council's planning and development manager, Rick Traficante, said the development had a visual impact on the significant views of Hanging Rock and its surrounds.

The council felt the tower would also degrade landscape values, natural features and vistas.

A representative acting for Aurecon said at the meeting that Optus customers had complained to the telecommunications company about poor service at Hanging Rock and surrounding areas.