Kerrie, I live in Victoria and my pool in completely internal, that is to say it is part of the house and not an addition to the house. I planned to have an external door with the required regulation lock height and seld closing mechanism. Hubby was dead against this door and so I agreed to have a window instead, not long after, we found out that the laws had changed and you are no longer permitted to access to an indoor pool from the outside, so it was just sheer luck that we changed the door to a window. Further, when we purchased the awning windows (2) with regulation restricted 10cm windouts, our building inspector tried to tell us that the windows weren't allowed and that they would have to remain shut and we were also going to have to concrete "bars" into the brickwork on the outside. I argued that regulation pool fences had the same 10cm restriction and after contacting the Victorian Building Commission, I have confirmation in writing, that the windows are deemed to be adequately safe and the inspector has accepted the finding. My access to our pool now, is only from the inside of the home obviously and if that becomes illegal, then we'll just have to sit and look at the pool longingly through the window, as there won't be any access at all ha-ha I'm not advocating that people argue with regulations but if I hadn't investigated my options further, who knows where I would be, having spent $1,500 on these two windows with laminated glass and how beautiful would my brickwork have looked with prisson bars attached. Cheers, Barbara

Firstly, were the footings for the old fence removed? Not going to be fun getting posts of any type in the ground if they are still there. It will add considerably to the cost of any new fencing if you have it done by a contractor. With privacy not being a concern, powdercoated tubular panel fencing would be the go. It would provide maximum transparency to retain the view. Anything else may look out of place due to the remaining fence and your balcony railing. Future owners could plant a hedge along it if they wanted. Build for you, your wants and your needs. Not those of future owners.

I agree with Amanda and RWalton: Definitely black but I too question your use of a picket fence with a 60's cream brick - it will never read as 'right'. A paling fence, a metal slat fence, a combination of the two; but not pickets - they are from a totally different era.

If you're concerned about monument feeling too oppresive, you could always go a couple of shades lighter, say Basalt or Windspray (if you're looking at colorbond colours), which will still give you a modern feel and enhance planting in front. Or you could allow the timber to weather to a natural grey. If there's going to be plants covering it up eventually it will save time, money and further maintenance with repainting. Just be aware with a narrow bed, you're going to be limited as to what you can put in there. Consider ongoing maintenance - (ie how do you trim a hedge, are leaves and flowers going to be an issue) and I would advise putting in a raised edge to minimise water pooling in the garden bed and drowning the plants. Additional drainage will also help to remove any excess water from the bed from splash. It may be worth getting professional in to have a look and offer some suggestions. Many landscape designers offer consultation services. They will also be able to help with colour advice, taking into consideration the house and aspect.