CONCERNS about the movement of coal from Berrima Colliery has led Wingecarribee Council to not support Boral's proposal to increase production for export.

Councillors made the decision at last Wednesday's general meeting, where representatives from Boral (operations manager Stuart Hutchings) and the Medway community (Joshua Cook) presented their cases.

"We're not against mining or the cement plant or Boral making a buck," Mr Cook said. "We object to the inconsistencies in Boral's application and its failure to recognise the impacts the proposal would have on the nearby community."

Boral proposed to increase its production at the mine to a maximum of 460,000 tonnes/year for up to eight years, about double its present production, in order to "make the mine viable".

About 100,000 tonnes would be stockpiled at the cement works and transported to Port Kembla for export in a series of four "export campaigns" a year.

It also asked for the gazetting of Medway Road for B-doubles in order to ultimately decrease the number of trucks on the road, which the council supported.

Residents were concerned about the impact this would have regarding noise, dust, an increase in heavy traffic from 32 to 66 a day, road degradation and safety.

"We've been a part of this community for a long time," Mr Hutchings said. "Boral puts $50 million back into the community each year through things such as rates and wages."

The decision on Boral's proposal would ultimately be made by the Department of Planning and Infra?structure, which would take the council's submission into account. In its resolution, the council supported continued op?erations at the mine to meet local and domestic demands, not export.

If the proposal went through the department, the council wanted Boral to pay for the upgrade and maintenance of Medway Road.

It also wanted operating hours and noise restricted and suggested Boral build a haul road bypassing Medway village as well as transporting coal to the coast using rail.

Councillors agreed that Boral could have done a better job of informing residents about its proposal.

They also said the council should have met with the company before Wednes?day's meeting.