Id have Raised planter boxes put in around the outside of our yard so my mother in-law doesn't have to spend hours on the ground with a bad back to do the gardening!..

if you like a formal look i would install a 10M wide (fence to fence) by 3m deep oblong area with an extra 7m wide half circle projecting into the old lawn and allowing for garden around the corners and sides..for a less formal look try making the planting asymmetrical

Hi thanks for the reply, not sure about this one interesting concept. It just appeared that the moment I mention "timber" that I need full detail plans engineer certificates surveyors etc etc and comply with the Victorian building act which does not allow any exceptions. I just don't get the argument that they are concerned about "loading" over the easement surely a 100mm concrete slab is heavier than something like the above image. thanks Peter

These can easily be removed by grabbing a shovel and a wheel barrow and some manual labour, or pay someone to grab a shovel and shovel them out. But why were they laid there in the first place. Is there an easement through your property? Putting soil over them is an easy fix, but the soil will lower and the rocks will be there once again. But if that is what you want to do, then succulents would grow between the rocks. You will still have a unkind surface for your kids to run over. Spend some time and shovel them out. The children can help.