The "green army" made up of 18-25 year olds would work at the council-owned reserve, corner of Kirkham and Retreat roads, for six months at $300 a week.

Belgrave South resident Graham Morgan has lobbied the council on behalf of residents living near the reserve but has not heard from Yarra Ranges Council since February.

"Fuel reduction needs to be addressed here," he said. "[The promise] will at least make sure the money is available to fix the problem."

Mervyn Road Fireguard Group leader Kurt Schulz said the reserve was full of weeds. "It hasn't been touched in 15-20 years and is in terrible condition."

Yarra Ranges councillor Samantha Dunn refused to wade into "speculative" election promises. "I hope whoever is elected works closely with Yarra Ranges Council on a range of issues."

However, Cr Dunn did stand by her claims made last month that the reserve, as deemed by municipal fire prevention officers, was not a "significant fire risk".

La Trobe MP Jason Wood said the "green army" was part of a 15,000-strong environmental workforce to be set up by the Coalition should it topple the Gillard government.

Mr Wood said $125,000 would go towards weed removal and the construction of picnic tables and benches.

The resources left over from the clean-up, expected to take "less than six months" will be directed to Puffing Billy's Belgrave home.

"I am taking this very seriously," Mr Wood said. "The reserve is a weed museum and it needs to be cleaned up."

Labor candidate for La Trobe, Laura Smyth, said "general works" in reserves was a common complaint among residents in Belgrave, Emerald and Upwey.

"I am looking at a more holistic approach to serve our community better than an ad hoc approach," she said. "I hope to announce funding for a number of projects during the campaign."