ROADS and fracking - coal seam gas exploration - dominated the campaign for the state seat of Gippsland South, say the leading candidates.
For the first time since 2006, a Liberal Party candidate will be standing, and Labor will not contest the seat at this week's by-election.
It was vacated earlier this year by the Nationals' Peter Ryan, who held it with a 15.7 per cent margin.
The Liberal's Cr Scott Rosetti – a Sale undertaker – joins a field of eight, including the Nationals Danny O'Brien, who vacated an Upper House seat.
Mr O'Brien said he would "fight hard" for first preferences, as the Wellington Shire councillor was a high profile candidate.
"The number one issue is roads – followed by health services and jobs, but roads is the overwhelming issue people speak with me about," Mr O'Brien said.
The Coalition had spent money on roads in the electorate but more needed to be done.
"Roads are a harbour bridge type job, just when you have finished at one end you have to start at the other."
He said the Nationals had no problem with a Liberal Party candidate, as the party was not breaking the Coalition agreement not to stand against sitting members.
Cr Rosetti agreed that roads were the main priority for electors.
Poor roads resulted in added costs for industry and farmers, who had to carry out more frequent maintenance on machinery, or replace tyres more frequently.
It was doubtful fracking was an issue for many voters, who were equally concerned about jobs.
"People are bringing it up, but more often than not it's being brought up by other candidates."
Cr Rosetti said he was a supporter of the Coalition.
The Coalition has served Victoria and Australia very well, but it's a choice for the electorate as to who is the best candidate."
Greens candidate Andrea Millsom said the National Party might be in for a surprise, if it thought Gippsland South was a safe seat.
Public transport, lack of services and facilities in smaller centres and fracking were her key issues.
