its really hard with pool fences as they are a lot of rules, regulations, and so on.

Try using plants, bushes and so on but also check regulations as i think you will also have strict guidelines as when i built a childcare centre many years ago there was strict rules on what a child can climb up on and this is similar with pools

Thankyou so much oskuee and p09opo for your replies.our pool is at the front of our house, river pebbles, in photo are outside our kitchen window and the yard is abt 1 acre.We have garden opposite outside of the fence. To the right is bushland....

At the moment the fence complies with regulations.

Do you have any ideas for styling the area?also is it easy to respray/paint a pool fence successfully?

I don't think it's hard to respray but I would hire a professional, there is a lot of fence and you want it done right. As for styling maybe some outdoor chairs like Acapulco, you don't need original Bunnings had them recently maybe some shade in form of outdoor umbrella or small pergola it's hard to say just looking from one angle , maybe couple large pots with giant bird of paradise ( I love them around the pool) they are so tropical.

Thanks again,I appreciate your comments..just thought I'd add another photo from a different angle! With the circular shape of the pool, angles of the fence, pavers and river pebbles,I've tried to simplify, but feel its lacking a focus..or something???need to keep pavers ('cos of budget!).we have bird of paradise, burrawangs and cycads on 2 sides, but it looks uninteresting from the kitchen...ta again for your input.

Will have a go at grouping the 3 plant I have(outside the fence?) or Would one large pot with feature plant work?its hard to work with the pool fence is necessary but it creates a barrier...

I see you have beautiful plants on the other side, try to keep it going all the way , you need to have different heights if you are going to group them together,,try inside the fence and outside see what works better. I wish I have a view like yours. If you don't like the fence see if you can replace just section in your immediate view and around the the pool to the Japanese feature you have on the other side. It would be about half the fence . Replace it with glass. But if you repaint it dark charcoal or black it usually "dissapiers" from the view.

Lots of grassy plants around the outside. Lhese will look great and cannot be climbed on. Have a look at Pennisetum. Also loose the pots and chinese lantern.

Thankyou once again for your comments!!much appreciated!..I will have a play with plants different heights. should I have 1 feature plant?

Why not , you can have feature plant make sure it has fabulous large pot and its either taller then the other ones or spectacular colour.

Thankyou,...We have used mini lomandra in other parts of the garden.

Also I saw some big Yukka(?) plants, native which might look great in pots, also in bali saw bougainvillea in big bowlish pots..v.colourful, but go too rampant if not confined...trying to be aware of bush close to house.

This discussion has been great to get me thinking. Design layout is tricky.

Didnt think you could buy second hand glass pool fencing?would there be safety restrictions?thankyouall for positive comments

Not that I know of. People are often filling in pools and selling the fencing on ebay and gumtree etc. You can buy new sprockets (? I think called) which is what goes into the ground as you'd want that to be secured and of course glass not cracked etc. I too have almost an acre with bush surrounds and the kidney shaped pool - I want to change over all my fencing to glass to enjoy the land and bush aspect - I am more native bush rather than beautiful tropical bush.

Thankyou, its worth while investigating as we are trying to keep costs down

I'd consider getting rid of the pebbles (so hard to maintain as well!) and replace with planting in a tropical style with maybe steppers through for access. This is still great for dealing with heavy rain, as it's permeable, and will actually help to slow runoff. Steppers can be old concrete pavers and are often available on gumtree, e-bay or at the local transfer station.

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Paint the existing fence, as part of the issue is not only is the colour dating, but it's looking powdery due to age. Black or dark charcoal will help it to fade against the background. You may find when this is done, and the pebbles are replanted with lush green, you may not need glass panels!

You can actually get dwarf bougainvillea - the bambino range, which is fabulous for pots. Be careful if you decide to go with pots, that you don't position them up against the pool fence as that doesn't comply with pool fencing regs. Any plants that can be considered 'climbable' also have to be kept away. Here's a great article to define that http://www.watersidepools.com.au/plant-it-safe/ 

Also check out this project from Secret Gardens of Sydney - this might give you some ideas: https://www.houzz.com.au/projects/10259/avalon-garden

Good Luck!

Thanks heapsMG gardens and tweeza! More questions, sorry....is it easy to paint a fence?dumb question?spray or brush?or do house painters paint pool fences?..what abt the longevity of a painted the fence?

...its great to have alternatives, ta!...the fence is a fair age so probably have nothing to loose.....

It's not hard to spray paint but you need lots of practice because fence is made of very narrow bits of metal so it's pain in the .... And yes you can ask any painter to give you a quote, ask on the phone if they are interested in doing the fence. Alternatively get your family members each a small paint brush and organise weekend BBQ and painting , make sure you get a quality paint and it should last at least 10 years. You will have to give it a light sending first to remove all loose and flakey paint, wash it , dry and paint and have fun doing it.

PS ,

I don't want to offend any painters out there , but I find that I do better job myself because I actually care about what it's going to look like and how long it will last so I don't skip steps just to finish the job faster. So in other words do it yourself it's not brain surgery.

Hi Jenny, Not that hard, just fiddly and time consuming! More time consuming if you brush, however less chance of overspray and less paint wasted. If you do go for the spray option, get some cardboard that you can put behind the fence when spraying so you don't get everything with paint. It may be possible to remove a fence panel at a time to paint. Talk to your local paint shop about what paint to use, as they will be able to advise you on preparation and the best paint for your surface.

Thankyou all so much for your input/time/inspiration! You have all given us a starting point with options (incl.the photos) for our pool/garden. Thankyou!!I have painted many things just not a pool fence!!!!

Yes, looks like a lot of paving but yard has lots of greenery....would like to have a focal point....and more even planting would help...Yes definitely a re-vamp coming soon.... Everyone has some great advice ...thankyou all v. much for taking the time to comment.

Thinking about planting out gaps, maybe replacing pebble at opposite side of the pool as suggested by 2 FINDand DESIGN, as a first step.Does anyone have anyone have any ideas for low growing plants, as, easy to maintain, to go with burrawangs, strilitzia, native orchids.we planted a lomandra, which has gone rampant, huge and difficult to maintain.In 2nd photo you can see a big bush rock as feature.one step at a time....thanks again

Westringia is nice medium hedge like plant just prune once a year

Thankyou for following, oskuee...does it spread?I'm fearful of garedn plants heading for the bush, closeby...looks pretty though...

No it's a small bush 1x1m in size so plant close to make it look dense, it's very pretty and doesn't need much looking after.

Hi Jenny, I'd suggest popping into your local nursery (not big box store). Often they will offer a consultation service where they can come out and help suggest plants that suit your aspect, climate and situation. The other option is to have a consultation with a local landscape designer or horticulturalist who specialises in planting. Check your local landscape association or AILDM for listings in your area. An outlay now could save you $$$'s in the longer term, as well as making sure that what you do spend your money on is going to give you the most bang for your buck. They'll also have local knowledge as to what can potentially become weeds.

Just remember you can't plant anything against the fence that can be considered climbable - this can include hedges. Have a look at the link I included above as to what the definition of climbable is. Look for lush and green to link in with the background. Some pops of colour; maybe foliage (eg alternanthera) or flower (bougainvillea or mandevilla) will also help to lift it and make the green more green. Small growing varieties of lomandra may be better than the large one you have there - this could easily be moved, divided and used elsewhere.

Thankyou Oskuee and MG, yes we are v. protective of our bush and aware of what we plant as we have a water course and wildlife. I think, as you say, someone with local knowledge would be great.I see the value in talking to our local nurseryman...this will be the first step..

We have had a couple of larger lomandra(we have nearly removed one,still in the final stages)-too prolific!!! We have found that poring a jug of boiling hot water has been the only thing that is slowing it down!!!

Houzz is so good for providing a platform for discussion, thankyou again.I will checkout the plants you suggest.Also MG,I have had a chance to checkout to pics you sent me...fantastic!

Ha ha if you manage to climb Wesrringia I take you to dinner.