I keep looking at this picture and see the solution as being really easy. If you put your finer in the spot where the two fences meet, they then don't look so out of place. So if you put a plant, like a squat Lily Pilly to at least fence height at this point, then this will provide cohesion between the two areas without spending a lot of money. Both fences appear to be of good quality so would aim to retain them both as they are.

Whatever you do never plant a gum! They have no place in suburban areas! The sooner the council realises that these trees kill people the better! We have had two gum trees fall on the back of our house now, one in 2012 and one in 2014. We are so lucky that myself, my husband, three children, three dogs, five Guinea pigs, two parrots and one bearded dragon were not injured. It's just a miracle not once but twice! I still don't know how we escaped unharmed. The gums do not have a stable root system and they grow very shallow, they get to the point where they just fall over. And the scary thing is they fall silently. They are not called 'Widow Makers' in the bush for no reason. I like the Tuckeroo tree, not sure of scientific name. They grow with a straight trunk and keep their foliage in a straight and symmetrical line along the bottom and grow hiding their branches. Essentially they look like a large mushroom. They are green all year too. I think they get to about 6 metre or ten if they have to reach for the sun.

So we painted it black to match the other sides of the fence. It needs to be reinforced as its falling backwards but ok for now. I've bought some creeping Ivy to grown over it too and I'll get some boxwoods or similar to carve into spheres or balls.... Also founds some nice light teak / grey bench seats. If really like to do a few vertical gardens here but the fence won't hold it for now so this will have to do. Could be something we add to later. It'll take some time to even look remotely good but we're getting there. At least we have a plan! Thanks all for you suggestions!

There are a few bamboos that fit the bill, including Bambusa 'Alphonse Karr' and Bambusa textilis 'Gracilis' (slender weaver). Check out this site for bamboo info http://mrbamboo.com.au Facing north the bamboo will require a lot of water, and can look dry in summer. It is beautiful though. The suggested species get to about 4m. You can prune them if you are dedicated. Otherwise hedge and front plant, or a climber if you construct some form of support.