``I DON'T know what cost you put on a life,'' Alderman Rob Soward told the Launceston City Council's meeting this week.
The comment came after members of the Nunamara community were told by a telco that installing mobile phone towers in the area would not be cost-effective.
Those same community members ``would be at severe risk in the case of a bushfire'', Alderman Soward said.
``The residents have no ability to contact family members or relatives, warning them of impending disaster.
``Do they get a reduction in their phone bill because they don't get coverage there? I don't think so.''
Council general manager Robert Dobrzynski said following Victoria's Black Saturday, the state and federal governments and Telstra began negotiating to fund towers in high-risk bushfire areas where coverage was poor.
Mr Dobrzynski said temporary mobile phone towers in such areas was an option.
``The technology and capacity exist to make this happen. What is currently lacking appears to be the political will,'' he said.
Alderman Soward's motion for the council to take the issue up with the federal government and the telcos was passed unanimously.
His motion to consider monthly green waste bin collections was defeated 11-1.
He withdrew his motion to close The Avenue to traffic as the council is developing a central business district masterplan.
