Parramatta Road the next Broadway? Ambitious plans by Leichhardt mayor Darcy Byrne hope to see a rundown area of Parramatta Road in Sydney's west transformed into a internationally renowned music and cultural hub. Sydney's Rockin' Road has moved ahead. Phase two in Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Byrne's ambitious plan to turn Parramatta Road into a live music and performance precinct passed through Leichhardt Council on Tuesday night. "Today we have struck a blow against the wowser culture that has ruled this town for too long," Cr Byrne said. Today we have struck a blow against the wowser culture. During a busy council meeting which speakers from Sounds Australia and Music NSW (and a large public gallery), a broad plan was unanimously adopted, aimed at making the stretch of main road between Taverners Hill and Sydney University (Sydney City, Leichhardt and Marrickville council turf) attractive to operators of live music venues, comedy clubs, small bars, theatres and related businesses. These include increased allowances for noise, extended trading hours and fast approval processes. Leichhardt Council will also work with the Brisbane City Council to use some of the ideas that made the Fortitude Valley area popular for live music. The crucial next step will be to win the support of NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard; the changes to planning controls Cr Byrne believes are critical to the plan, such as rezoning parts of Parramatta Road, can only be made by the state government. Cr Byrne has written to Mr Hazzard and plans to call him today. My hope and expectation is that the Minister of Planning will be keen to co-operate with a council that wants to economically regenerate one of Sydney's worst eyesores. Cr Byrne believes Sydney City Council is already on board (its Live Music Taskforce agenda includes the music precinct plan) and he hopes Marrickville Council will join in. The momentum for delivering Sydney its first live music and cultural precinct is becoming unstoppable. It's not a simple process, but my intention is that this does not become a long-term plan. I want to see councils adopting new planning controls in 2013. Cr Byrne said extra money would need to be allocated to convince venue operators to invest in the area. The only way this will work is if we can make Parramatta Road an attractive destination for Sydneysiders and tourists in the same way that Oxford Street is. Planning controls are important, but so are economic incentives and promotion. He suggested rates could be waived for venue operators. A plan would have to be made for pedestrian safety too: "That's something I take seriously." All of this must be cold comfort to the Rule brothers, Matt and Dan, who lost control of the iconic Annandale Hotel last month, when it passed into the hands of receivers Ferrier Hodgson. "I'd understand their frustration, the role played by the previous [Leichhardt] council was disappointing and shortsighted and has caused irreparable damage," said Cr Byrne. But I want to continue to be a leader on this now. Cr Byrne says whether the hotel itself remains a live music venue will come down to the council's ability to improve conditions and provide incentives for a music business, such as later trading hours. The receiver is expected to submit that application imminently.