Is it privacy or weather control you most want? A custom made long blind might work well for the long window, if you want both privacy and heat/cold control. You might also think of external solutions, including plantings that would manage both sun and privacy for the lower levels. Having something that cuts neighbours views and gives you a nice view is always a good solution, and can be an important part both of privacy and weather management. A front courtyard of any sort (built wall, plant wall) also works well - we had one at an earlier house and it worked well. We had, in our just moved into place, a long window beside the front door, which also gets late afternoon sun (hot at present), and I replace the two panes with a stained glass pair of windows and it cuts the sun and increases the privacy, but it's not a cheap solution when you have such a long window.

Thankyou for all help and suggestions. We are going with brick pillars and hedge between, with chain wire fence for security whilst the hedges grow. We want to tie it in with the front brick pillar and panel fence. We would not the pillars as close t ogeather as the fence, but we arent sure if to do every second, third or fourth pillar spacing?. Appreciate opinions.

I think you will have a difficult time achieving a tropical look in Tasmania, and at the same time missing out on one of the best things about living there. The temperate climate. You have access to garden species that those of us in the warmer states could only dream about. Why not use that? I'm not convinced you need a retaining wall anywhere except possibly under the patio. You definately need some bushes between 1-2m in height in that empty garden bed near the port box, to add a bit of visual interest and take away the fisheye effect of the sloping land. You are definately going to need either deciduous or frost hardy species. Off the top of my head these would do well there.... Silver birch, weeping or upright. It's a beautiful tree that loves the cold weather and gives you the added bonus of as much natural sunlight to your home as possible during winter when you need it. Also lovely soft screening that won't become a jungle in the front of your home. Pairs beautifully with Japanese maples for a lovely woodland look. Rhododendrons make a wonderful feature plant with it's spectacular display of flowers. If one of these is too large look to azalea's which are just low growing relatives. Under your deck seems like the perfect location for a Tassie native, the Dicksonia. Come on how could you not grow these?

Living in Queensland you have plants that grow quickly and lush, tropical beauties like Rhapis, Xanadu will look beautiful, a timber or paved walkway to your front door, a water feature along fence line surrounded by tall growing tropical plants would certainly hide the neighbours.