State election candidates Steve Briffa and Vicki Ward battle for Eltham

THE battle for Eltham at the state election is expected to be fierce, with improvements to the Hurstbridge railway line a big issue.

MUD Holes on the Hurstbridge train line between Eltham and Hurstbridge are the worst on the Metro network and could endanger train passengersÕ lives if they are not fixed, according to train drivers. Locomotive branch division president of the Rail Tram and Bus union Terry Sheedy said the stretch had only had a little work done on maintenance and the trackÕs foundations were becoming unstable.

THE battle for the seat of Eltham is expected to be fierce.

Liberal candidate and Banyule councillor Steve Briffa said he would work with Nillumbik Council to fix some of its unsealed roads and lobby for improvements at Montmorency Railway Station, including more undercover areas and a bike rack.

He said people had described Nillumbik as “needing some work and some good guidance”.

“What a lot of people have pointed out is there are a lot of unsealed roads throughout the municipality of Nillumbik and, if elected, I could definitely look into how I could assist council in getting a better outcome for the community on all the roads,” Cr Briffa said.

WHAT IS YOUR MAIN ELTHAM ELECTION ISSUE? TELL US BELOW

Labor candidate Vicki Ward, who has lived in the electorate for 40 years, said people could trust her to advocate for the community.

Ms Ward said her biggest priority was addressing youth unemployment and training.

“Youth unemployment; it comes up time and time again,” Ms Ward said.

“We were handing out stuff about the Greensborough TAFE announcement; we were getting a pretty good response and the ones whose eyes were, ‘oh yeah’, were kids.

“It was really interesting because usually school kids are not engaged.”

“If elected, I could definitely look into how I could assist council in getting a better outcome for the community on all the roads,” — Steve Briffa, Eltham state Liberal candidate

Greens candidate Liezl Shnookal said her top priority was addressing the cost of living, particularly electricity price rises as well as supporting the Green’s policies on renewable energy and improving the public transport system.

“People are really pretty fed up with the power companies and the exorbitant rates they are charging now,” Ms Shnookal said.

Independent candidate Chris Byrne, a first-time political candidate, said he was running because he was sick of party politics and believed Eltham had been neglected for too long.

“Youth unemployment; it comes up time and time again,” — Vicki Ward, Eltham state Labor candidate

Mr Byrne said he wanted more infrastructure investment and for the rail line to Hurstbridge to be duplicated.

“We have a large issue with traffic congestion coming out of the Eltham area,” Mr Byrne said.

“Most people seem to be commuting in and out of town.

“We have talked about a lot of infrastructure projects throughout Victoria. There’s not a lot of focus on infrastructure in our green wedge and particularly in the Eltham area to ease congestion.”

Family First candidate Janna Fenn, Australian Christians candidate Michael Janson and Independent Ryan Ebert will also contest the seat.