Paint it to match other walls or contrast colour as feature wall. Have painted some ugly brickwork around a fire place in my home using an acrylic gloss. The colour is full strength lexicon white, like the woodwork in my home, the walls are satin finish half strength lexicon white. I am really pleased with the subtle feature of the glossy painted brick wall.

@ deanli14...the problem is that the neighbours don't want the tennis court fence as it is..more they want it lowered...thus depriving johnmcintyre of his privacy and the local Council is dictating what can and cannot be done....its not about planting for privacy...quite the reverse, the neighbours want the view! I've had an idea that might help. It is my understanding that today anyone wanting to build or alter any structure can employ a private building surveyor/inspector to approve the plans and then the final structure...and I understand that this applies everywhere in Australia. So there is a way to by-pass all the nonsense. The Council does not have to know about or approve anything. You are employing (paying) a private building surveyor/inspector to help you get what you want on your own property. I think its all got beyond a joke. Just by-pass all the red tape and the neighbours! I've extended my house to incorporate a very large semi enclosed veranda, I've had a large water tank erected on a tall stand so it gravity feeds into my house..and have erected several 3m tall greenery covered screens along my fenceline adjoining the neighbours.. for reasons of privacy.....all without the local Council even knowing about it because I employed a private building surveyor for it all from start to finish. You would be paying him to be on your side and get you what you want and he does not have to submit to Council, he is his own boss and your client. You'd need to get a draftsman to draw up the plans to start with...then it should be smooth sailing.

Personally, I really like the look and feel of sandstone. Why do you want to paint them? What is it that you don't like about sandstone? I think they would be an appealing feature for new buyers. Have you considered temporary solutions, such as some kind of "cladding" which could be easily removed by the next owner. Or trying to cover the space with a very large painting, wall-hanging or bookcase?

once you identify any structural issues and considered advice from an engineer but i suggest that the bricks were probably never meant to be exposed and the render was part of the structure...,is it a single or double brick wall, is there an internal framed wall, what about insulation? depending on the look you prefer it might be better to add external cladding eg corrugated steel or Scyon weatherboards to allow for an air space to improve insulation as well as weather proof the building after the wall is made structurally sound