Yarra Ranges Council received 51 objections to the 35-metre slimline monopole at 25 Chapman Road.

Telstra general manager (Melbourne) Patrick O'Beirne said the company had hoped the tower would reduce black spots in coverage in the area.

Telstra had endured a "decade of pain" trying to provide reliable coverage in Yarra Ranges, he said.

"In 10 years we've had one tower approved by this council.

"We're at the stage where if we can't invest in the Yarra Ranges we'll have to grin and bear it and people will not have the coverage."

Telstra has already assessed sites for towers in Yarra Junction, Mt Evelyn and Healesville.

"Co-location is not an option," Mr O'Beirne said. "The monopoles are the only way to deliver the coverage. The reality is you can't rely on the light towers at the MCG to light up all of Melbourne."

The council rejected the Silvan tower on grounds of visual amenity.

The proposed site was on a grazing property, with a dense tree screen to the south and west. Despite the screen, the monopole would have soared 14 metres above the tallest tree.

"It might be the best position for them to have better coverage of the area, but as far as locals and visitors go it's not the sort of thing you want to see," said Gordon Chapman, who has lived in Silvan for 78 years.

The Chapman family is one of Silvan's oldest, with five generations living on Chapman and Parker roads.

"We do need the coverage, but not to the detriment of the landscape," Mr Chapman said.

He dismissed claims of poor coverage in Silvan, on the main roads at least.

"Generally we have good coverage; it's not a major concern."

Mr Chapman said the latest rejection sent a clear message to Telstra that residents in the Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs would not stand for a "this is what we want, where we want it" mentality.

"Let's hope Telstra can find better ways of giving us better coverage and service without these very unsightly towers."