WITH the focus of the Melbourne byelection being the preselection spat between Labor and the Greens, the Weekly asked all the byelection candidates about their policies on local issues.
The issues involved include homelessness, high-rise development, heritage protection and the east-west road link.
All 16 candidates responded to our questions.
CANDIDATE QUESTIONS: Click here to see how each of the Melbourne candidates answered our 10 questions.
Their responses included views on issues specific to Moonee Valley, including the proposed southbound bike lane on Mt Alexander Road and traffic congestion around Flemington during major events at the racecourse and showgrounds.
Of the bike lane, candidates were asked: Will you support Moonee Valley Council's plans for a bike lane on Mt Alexander Road, at the expense of a car lane, even if it results in increased traffic congestion?
Most of the candidates expressed general support for bike lanes and improved public transport, while some wanted to see more detail.
Others had more specific views, saying other options needed to be addressed.
Independent candidate Berhan Ahmed believed forcing traffic into a narrower space would create dangerous blackspots for cyclists.
"I don't consider this particular case well-suited for cycle transport," Mr Ahmed said.
Democratic Labor Party candidate Michael Murphy supported the idea but was concerned for cyclist safety when clearways weren't in operation.
"An alternative is the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail - shared with pedestrians - between Dean Street and Delhi Court, though sections are secluded and need lighting under roadways," Mr Murphy said.
Independent candidate David Nolte said he still needed to be convinced of the bike lane's benefit.
"I would need to understand the compelling argument in support of the plan if traffic gridlock, loss of economic productivity, increased road danger from frustrated drivers and higher emissions resulted from the addition of a bike lane."
The Sex Party's Fiona Patten agreed. "I would be hesitant about supporting it without looking at what bike transit paths already exist and whether there are ways of improving bicycle commuter options without hacking into MtAlexander Road," she said.
On the issue of traffic congestion at Flemington racecourse and the showgrounds, the candidates were asked: How would you fix traffic congestion at these during major events?
Again, most answers were general and supported more public transport, particularly on event days.
Mr Murphy and the Greens' Cathy Oke said public transport should be free on event days or included in event ticket prices to encourage more patronage.
Independent Gerrit Hendrick Schorel-Hlavka agreed, adding that some streets should have only one-way traffic on event days to "reduce the traffic congestion and re-direct through-traffic to reduce traffic flow to and from the area".
Mr Ahmed said the worst traffic snarls in recent years coincided with failures on the train network, but said there had to be an untangling of trams and cars on Racecourse Road.
Independent John Perkins said limits on parking could be introduced for special events, when there should be more public transport.
Labor's Jennifer Kanis, who lives near the showgrounds, said that in her role as a Melbourne City councillor she recently met Flemington racecourse and showgrounds staff and asked them what solutions could be implemented to alleviate congestion and "looked forward to implementing some of these".
She didn't specify what the solutions were.