Probably not a bad choice actually. We'll be seeing a lot more of these permeable driveways in the not to distant future as they reduce rainwater run off from our sites into our gutters. Use a combination of both concrete and permeable perhaps. Such as where you park the bike on its stand or do bike maintenance use concrete. There are other permeable pavers available as well as these ones, council's use them a lot around parklands, trees in footpaths.

Jacey the concrete block idea would need really stabilising as goodness knows what a bit of heavy rainwater would suddenly do. I'm thinking timber would be a much safer way to go with posts concreted into the ground and I do like the beach look too. I'm pretty sure Council will require you to do any work on your property, so it may be necessary to remove the retaining wall to do this work. There is still an issue with the nature strip though, as that is also quite sloped and being even older than your parents, not one I would happily tackle without help. I wonder if you could get the Council to grade the nature strip for you to level and smooth it? In view of your parent's age too, might it even be worth considering doing a ramp from basically the top of the driveway down to your letterbox, it looks like that would be a reasonable slope. That would make your letterbox more accessible and worn out knees and hips can manage a ramp better than stairs. It would also give you the benefit of wheelchair access should that ever happen in the future. The nature strip at that end does not look as sloped either and you could smooth the surface to make it safer. Sadly it will mean removing the retaining wall so it will mean a lot of work. Have you given thought to the whole front of your house, is it all suitable as it is or could it be improved? This could be the time to look at the big picture so anything you do contributes positively to the end result. The existing retaining wall could need work in the not too distant future, even replacing so replacing it now with something more permanent could save you time and money down the track. I think I would be inclined to make the wall higher too, to allow for levelling off at the top to create a nicer and more usable garden area. Have you seen these walls? They can look really nice, the stones allow drainage and they are supposed to be very simple and DIY. It is also a more modern look for your home. http://gabion1.com.au/index.php/gabion-retaining-walls/?gclid=CLb0s-yAjs8CFdcjvQod1I8LAQ

You've got a good space and good ideas. My suggestion would be to decide on all the structural changes first. It is tempting to go for small wins first. But you'll never regret doing a master plan. Set out everything you want to do. It's OK to have lots of stages and even a few dream things.

Thank you, you cant see the the trees I have in the photos due to winter but I have 12 trees already in my front yard. ( 7 silver birch, 1 mop top 2 weepings, 1 red maple and a another) I do love the hedging. I was thinking something like the below photo with the same path going to my front door but placing the same purple plants around the sides that I have in my 3rd photo . I would like to use edging do I place some along the 3rd photo. I love the above photo with the trees and hedge layering, I could do that along the front fence. What do you think ? I don't really know plant names so I am saying sorry in advance