@ EMILY! Thanks so much for showing us all that you've accomplished...what a big...ongoing job and its not cheap undertaking something like that. Thanks for the tip about the star jasmine...I have a beautiful planting of that.....or rather 'had'...I got a chap in to trim it for me who advertised himself as experienced....Oh Dear! He killed most of the vine by cutting it at ground level! Now its a brown horrible mess up a tall trellis and no privacy. I'm devastated. To make it worse the neighbour sits out on her back deck and calls out to me when I'm out there when before she couldn't see me.....I'm putting up atemporary reed screen...I think....would rather my star jasmine with the blackbirds nesting in it....I know the feeling of not jumping in in case one makes a regrettable mistake. I also had gardenias but once they get sick its not worth all the trouble. I've had to learn heaps about what plants are appropriate for my place and I've made some really silly mistakes too. I've never seen those cut laser panels before and am a bit intrigued. What are they used for,,outdoor lighting? That colourbond fence works really well as a privacy screen! You've done so much and have invested not only your hard-earned money but also your ideas! Hope you have some lovely times in your space.

lucky you! your water tank is below ground. I have to look at my 20,000 litre tank outside my kitchen window. It sits on a concrete plinth so I can't even plant around it. I'm too terrified to grow creeping fig on it incase it affects the integrity of the tank. At the moment it has wisteria draping over it, looks lovely in spring but deciduous and it's now becoming too invasive so need to get rid of it.. I also have star jasmine approaching from an arch beside - can't wait for it to take over the tank.. I love all the decorative features suggested but I reckon something like star jasmine might work with some other landscaping features to the side: bench, rock, more plants. The beauty of star jasmine is that it doesn't root, will drape over and can be pulled aside. Every couple of years I put the blower over the top of my water tank it to make sure the leaves don't mulch to create soil on top.

Plant Eucalpyts at your peril and have fun getting things to grow under them. Low maintenance? Northern Tassie yeah? Retaining wall across the front set back 1m from front boundary with a return either side(height? I don't know your levels but 1 to 1.2m is always a good height and needs no engineering detail). Scoria or white pepple, multi coloured stone between nature strip and base of wall. Above retaining wall a mass planting of succulents amongst another stone bed with some semi mature shrubs that grow well in your locality. Wide as you like it in regards to the garden bed above the wall with stepping stone(big paver, non invasive ground covers in confined squares ect) access to it and through it. One specimen tree in centre of garden(no...not a gumtree. Got a farm? Yes? Then you can plant a gumtree). Various really large pots with specimen plants in them placed up near your front entrance. A detailed plan could be done with much more info but you'll have to contact a local landscaper for that.(and plant advice and try to get an idea of where you plant/tree choices will be in 10 years even your not there) .

We have recently added a new lounge room to our house and I need to connecting it to the old house using 2/3 internal sandstone slab - not paver style steps, laid brick style. I have pics that show exactly what I want but the job requires a stone mason, who may also need to cut sandstone into desired shapes and roughen edges . I am in need of a stone mason who can come to see the job and discuss things with us. I have been in contact with quarries re sourcing the sandstone but I really need a stone mason in the first instance, we are in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. If anyone knows someone they can connect me with I would dearly appreciate the help. Kindest regards, Koula