PLANS to attach three Telstra antennas to the water tower at Lammermoor have angered local residents.

But Telstra Countrywide area manager Kris Carver said smart phone traffic was doubling every 9 to 11 months, and for people to get reliable service, more infrastructure was needed to handle the increased data.

More than 20 residents gathered on site last Sunday with LNP candidate for Capricornia Michelle Landry and Member for Keppel Bruce Young, who took a petition signed by 139 people to Parliament this week.

Residents Charron and Andrew Mearns paid $800,000 for a block of land in Oceana Crescent at the front of the water reservoir.

"Surely there is an alternative site, which is not putting the community at risk," Mrs Mearns said.

Chairman of Rockhampton Regional Council's planning and development committee Councillor Bill Ludwig said council supported residents' objections but did not have the power to refuse.

"We've put in place a precautionary objection … but these facilities have to go somewhere," Cr Ludwig said.

Council CEO Evan Pardon said the council had written to Telstra objecting to a compulsory acquisition and officers had met with Telstra last Friday.

But according to Kris Carver, without further infrastructure, people would start to lose mobile service due to increased data.

"This is the least intrusive you can get … there's already a huge reservoir with a small pole; the visual impact is hardly there," he said.

"The emissions will be less than a microwave oven."

Ms Mearns said she realised emission levels were low.

"Why put up with any emissions when there are other areas not in the middle of a thriving housing estate," she said.