Nice pool, but a shame that your neighbours can see you through the fence, and therefore, you get no privacy. If you were wanting privacy of some kind, bamboo, tikka plant or even lovely conifers will look quite nice, also as a backdrop to your pool area. I would also place a beautiful urn or two strategically near the pool, to add character and colour. I would finally add an order of large stones for good effect.

For my mind the raised one not only looks better but also, for some reason, feels nicer when soaking (maybe it's a "Lord/Lady of the Manor" thing :) ).

does this house have some starting points for a river home? (placed above the highest flood line but closer to the rear of the block) with expanded enclosed courtyard for the pool, a grassed driveway down one side for occasional access to the rear, drying yard and kids' play area. Single storey (more relaxed than your last posted floorplan) garaging closer to the front boundary with wide driveway, reversing bay, guest parking and screening trees and shrubs all along the nosy neighbours' side (sized to suit the climate and not exclude eastern sunshine in cold weather) kid's bedrooms, family bath, laundry, and guest room near the front entry with direct access through mudroom laundry for wet kids from the pool) Open plan living, dining, kitchen with pantry, master suite and home office overlooking the river

keep in mind that my plan has single external walls and all the inside and outside walls are 10cm thick to make drawing easier and the depth of the verandahs includes the eaves, adding a brick veneer would use more space and given the choice it would be lovely to plan for a covered walkway and raked ceilings in the living areas and this is a very basic gable roof but there are lots of more exciting/expensive roof options to consider