Although there have been no BTL sightings in the last week or so Coby Dog is convinced it is still in residence under the carport slab.

I love all the above ideas . I'll take a slightly different tack though -- maybe get you thinking ? I don't like the balance of the house sorry -- the garage at a lower level , but without a corresponding split level roof , I personally don't like . To me , it makes the house look 'stubby' . Depending on your budget , and need for space , I'd either add a 'higher' window in place of the garage door -- in line with the window next to it . OR I'd change the garage door to a ranch slider -- turn the garage into the master bedroom , or an office ( presumably with the laundry at the rear ) . The problem with that is that some people may mistake that for the main front entrance . I'd then add the garage to the left hand side , BUT I'd bring it forward by approx 1.5-2 metres -- the new roof could then be at the same level , but as it comes further foward , it would give the illussion of a split level roof . There's a slight advantage that you'd have a bit more space too -- maybe even extend it out the back , and then the boat can fit too ? Between the new garage and the front door , I'd then do a pagoda style veranda -- 200 x 50 beams , stained a nice medium brown , probably with clear acrylic panels above . The right hand eve , and the window sills , I'd also do in a mid brown -- personally , I think it looks a bit too grey and black at present . The front door looks nice , but again I'd do it in a nice mid-brown colour , rather than the lighter varnished look that appears to be on it now . Obviously , alter the driveway , so you can get in the new garage , and park 2 vehicles side by side , using the existing and new driveway . And then gardens as above . A bit ( lot ? ) more expensive compared to the above , but you'll have a nicer , and nicer looking house with more room , and obviously a lot higher resale IMO .

Hi Ebony, This is a very interesting challenge! Slender Weavers Bamboo is good, however usually to get height in a screening plant, it will also need to spread. To get the height you need to block the view of the townhouse, I think it will be growing too wide within the laneway. Also, planting in the laneway could prove problematic. I'm assuming this is Council land and therefore they could come along at any time and remove what you have planted (although it doesn't look like much maintenance is performed by Council). You could also face the wrath of your neighbours, or other local residents who might use the lane and feel that you shouldn't be planting there. You would be best to find a solution within your boundary. You could try and extend the rear fence with wires or lattice and plant a climber or I really like the previous suggestion of planting climbers to the verandah posts and block the distant views from on the verandah. Good luck with this challenge!

Personally, there is nothing wrong with that fence. It's a nice paling fence and 6 months in the weather will have it looking identical to the rest of your fence. With regard to not being able to grow much under those trees. Lomandra is a large grassy tuft with serious landscaping cred and will grow directly under eucalypts, it's where they grow out in the wild. They are also tolerant to full-sun to almost full-shade in terms of aspect. Black boys (grass tree's) will also grow happily there and cover the fence with a very nice look. Throw some large bush rock in there and plant out some nice little rockery plants (clivia will do well with that shade) and you've got yourself a nice little backdrop. But yes if you have large tree's it's not ideal to try and plant directly into their roots. They will feed all the nutrients out of the soil. Planters or raised bed is best. Which side of your yard faces north, south, east, west? That will help a lot. My own yard gets full sun only in the early morning and parts of it are full shade from midday onwards. I am growing a Japanese styled garden there as it gets protection from afternoon sun but has enough direct sun in the morning for items like azalea's, maples and acacia cognata (weeping wattle). The grass is also a moss, rather than lawn. Work with the landscape as it is rather than trying to fight it. There are plenty of plants that are very happy with minimal direct sun and you can do a lot with a partial shade yard. You're just not going to grow a veggie patch, or fruit trees in that section of the yard, it looks like you have full sun aspect along the other fence which would be better for that kind of thing.