GOOD professional advice is worth every cent of what you pay. If it was my property, I would ignore the upper retaining wall and plant at the bottom, selecting a plant that will screen from the bottom to above the height of the fence. Its also much cheaper this way. There are numerous lily pillies available that you could consider. I would choose something like Syzygium 'Pinnacle' because of its eventual height, its adaptability to different soils and sites, and because it is relatively narrow. Its also fast growing. It is a conical grower. Plant them 1.75 metres apart or thereabouts, working the spacing depending on the length overall and then just nurture them. If you retain the the conical shape, then you wont need to hedge them - just leave free standing or trim the width a bit. Then bring in some taller trees that will grow higher or at least as tall as the Pinnacle - I would use deciduous to allow winter sunlight in and have large garden beds under the trees linking the whole area together with lawn or lily-dale toppings or similar. Lawn would be better for the children, but will need irrigation [in summer only if necessary]. And if growing lawn under trees, you need to be selective with the lawn type considering shade, tree roots etc. I know that people mock the use of lily pillies, but these are people who don't know what they are talking about. The knockers have grown lily pillies that are inappropriate to the position and because of their stuff-up, the whole range of wonderful plants gets canned. The right plant to the site is called sustainability. Councils/government are opening up a lot of areas that were once considered wet-land. So a lot of these new subdivisions do have drainage problems, and buildings with their footings increase the movement of water, increasing the drainage issues. Small gums, like the Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp megalocarpa is a wonderful tree for soaking up excessive moisture. This is also worth adding to the tree mix, especially to shade western windows. Good luck with your project.

I have the same issue. Here are a few plants that I'm considering: Indian Mast, Pinnacle Syzygium, Pencil Pine, Spartan Conifer, Skyrocket Juniper, Lilly Pilly, Pittosporum and Ficus Hillii. I've probably gotten a few of the names wrong! At the moment, I haven't made a decision as I'm still trying to figure out what will work best for the climate (Brisbane, Queensland), position (some would be in direct sunlight for most of the day, but others would be shaded by houses for most of the day and I'd prefer to have the same variety throughout the yard), soil, etc. I am planning on walking around the neighbourhood to sticky beak at what other people have done in similar situations so that I have better idea of what will grow well and last.

Hi Blake, What an exciting time of your life. I would agree that painting the fence charcoal will be a great start. I would create a few zones. You like the idea of a fire pit, so get one of those fabulous metal dishes that can be custom designed such as Yarrawonga Custom Plasma Cutting does. You could put this outside the alfresco area and pave the space around it. PO Box designs do some amazing lazer cut decorative screens and sculptures. You could break up the fence and add more height and privacy by placing a decorative screen on it which can even be backlit to give a lovely atmosphere at night. Just be aware that you shouldn't block the neighbour's light, especially that high window which they wouldn't be able to see you from but will be providing important light for their home. I suggest having an edible garden. You can plant oranges, lemons and limes which are all evergreen, grow to a good height, and have the bonus of divine smelling flowers and fruit that you can use, and under them plant herbs such as rosemary, sage, and thyme. A bay tree is very useful, but they can grow huge so keep it in a pot or prune hard to keep it to a workable shape. You can use the leaves fresh or dried so cut away and give the prunings to friends! In a shady spot that you are happy to have anything grow, you could plant mint. It will spread but I use it by the arm full in summer in my drinking water, in salads and in fact most summer dishes, and even as fresh mint tea. It will bring in the bees. If you don't want it to spread them plant it in a tub. I would also make some raised beds for some home grown vegies such as tomatoes and annual herbs like basil and parsley. Water is great to attract birds and bees so find a small birdbath and place it by a plant so that the birds can feel safe. I have a lovely one that is on a pedestal with little wrens around the edge but a wide shallow dish on a ground of pebbles looks lovely too. It is lovely to have fresh flowers inside so adding gardenias, daphne, lavender, native shrubs like grevilleas, banksias, correas, bulbs such as daffodils and jonnies, also iris and roses are all lovely. You can train climbers up the fence too such as jasmine, wisteria, and native hardenburgia. None of these plants are difficult to grow though the citrus will like some frost protection to start and I grew them all with great success in the bitter frosts, a number of floods and the scorching heat of the North East Victoria. As you can see, I like my garden to be a work horse not just a show pony. If I am investing my money and time then I want to be able to get perfume or produce from each plant.

All Lilly Pilly varieties. The neighbors begone one will grow 2m a year once established. Narrow Conifer trees (Italian Cypress, Thuja, Swans Gold etc). Gracilias Bamboos if you want 4+m tall quick in a year. They're tall, hardy and drought resistant but need regular trimming due to fast growth.