Hi Jen I don't see them not raising the ground level to your fence, either way make sure they do the retaining walls before the rains start. If they replace the fence, that should be paid by them 100%. However I worried by your 3rd photo it looks like they haven't keyed the ground prior to the fill? ...you don't want slippage, remember Thredbo! If your block is big enough, here's some trees, beware of fast growing trees as they tend to be huge. http://www.citywide.com.au/mobile/blog/treescapers/2014/08/15/10-australian-native-trees http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/fact-sheets/in-the-garden/trees-and-palms/trees-other-plants-to-avoid/#.WJsiiXQZ7qA Don't plant too close to retaining walls.

Kristen, your plan looks good to me. The stepping stones along the long fence are a great feature. The palm in that photo, is it on your side of fence or your neighbour's? Ruth & bigreader have good suggestions re using more of a hedging plant. Both would be striking and afford you some privacy in time. Just check that your soil will agree with whatever you select. I love birds of paradise, but will the giants be enough to give privacy? I like them in small groups best rather than in a line. It's going to be a splendid back garden when you are finished.

Hi Ebony, This is a very interesting challenge! Slender Weavers Bamboo is good, however usually to get height in a screening plant, it will also need to spread. To get the height you need to block the view of the townhouse, I think it will be growing too wide within the laneway. Also, planting in the laneway could prove problematic. I'm assuming this is Council land and therefore they could come along at any time and remove what you have planted (although it doesn't look like much maintenance is performed by Council). You could also face the wrath of your neighbours, or other local residents who might use the lane and feel that you shouldn't be planting there. You would be best to find a solution within your boundary. You could try and extend the rear fence with wires or lattice and plant a climber or I really like the previous suggestion of planting climbers to the verandah posts and block the distant views from on the verandah. Good luck with this challenge!

You will need to screw into the timber frame inside the wall avoiding any electrical wire. Any skilled handyman should be able to do it.