Despite support from former band mate Nick Cave, the push to name the laneway between Eildon Road and Jackson Street after Howard was rejected for not meeting state government road guidelines.

Ballarat artist creates his own 'Rowland S Howard Lane'

Port Phillip Council initially approved the tribute in April, but was required to seek an exemption from the Office of Geographic Names.

The office prefers one-word street names as they are easier for emergency services to find.

A Port Phillip Council spokesperson today said an exemption to use Howard's full name had been denied, with the guidelines for geographic names allowing surnames only to be used for commemorative road names.

"In this instance, the allowed name would be Howard Lane," the spokesperson said.

The council said it was seeking the views of Howard's family about whether they were willing to accept the alternative option, which would fit the guidelines.

More than 2000 people signed a petition put to Port Phillip Council supporting the tribute. 

Music promoter Nick Haines, who led the charge for the name change, said he preferred Rowland Lane over Howard Lane, as the latter might be confused with the former prime minister.

He said he didn't think Rowland S. Howard Lane would be hard for emergency vehicles to find, but was hoping some kind of tribute would go ahead.

"They have Sir Donald Bradman Drive in Adelaide, Polly Farmer Freeway in Perth and Go-Between Bridge in Brisbane," he said. 

Known as "the prince of St Kilda", Howard was regarded as a legend of the Melbourne music scene for both his solo career and his time alongside Cave in The Birthday Party and The Boys Next Door.

He died from liver cancer in 2009 at the age of 50, with his funeral held at Sacred Heart Church in St Kilda.