Not the same … father and son upholsterers Michele and Vince Menolascina and their dog Milo in front of their shop on Parramatta Road, Stanmore / Pic: Justin Lloyd Show More Source: The Daily Telegraph

Bottleneck … typical traffic on Parramatta Rd during peak hour / Pic: John Grainger Source: The Daily Telegraph

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Despite Sydney’s oldest road becoming best known for its traffic snarls and wasteland of empty shops, five of the nine councils that govern it want to revamp their section. But they all have a different wish list.

Strathfield wants gourmet food and apartments, Burwood wants car yards and Leichhardt hopes to save the old buildings.

“No one is thinking in a unified fashion,” Urban Taskforce CEO Chris Johnston said.

“We are at the edge of nine different council areas. If we saw it as the centre, I think you would get a very different form of development. It could be a real boom.”

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FROM his father’s upholstery business in Stanmore, Vince Menolascina has watched the decline of Parramatta Rd for 35 years.

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Mr Johnson called for an urban land delivery authority to change the environment of the road dramatically.

“Parramatta Rd is the perfect example of how we manage to get growth along corridors like that. Retail, jobs, gyms, coffee shops and good public transport can really give a fabulous environment,” he said.

“This is where there needs to be state government leadership. This needs a big picture look in a holistic manner, so we can get something of real value.”

Strathfield, Burwood and Canada Bay councils are reviewing local environment plans, with Strathfield proposing a food hub at Sydney Markets and dedicating the east section to apartments and commerce.

“Strathfield Council has a clear vision … surrounding Sydney Markets will be zoned to support food-related businesses and create a ‘food hub’ around the world’s largest fresh food markets,” a spokeswoman said.

Burwood wants car yards, hotels, hardware shops, nurseries and timber yards.

“Activities that need to be provided for in the Burwood Council area, including sex services premises, can be loc- ated here with minimal dis- ruption,” Burwood draft LEP documents state.

Canada Bay is undertaking a socio-economic study into Five Dock‘s industrial zoning, Ashfield Council wants a business precinct, and Marrickville and Leichhardt councils want to maintain the road’s heritage.

A NSW Planning spokesman said the department was working closely with all councils.