@ deanli14...the problem is that the neighbours don't want the tennis court fence as it is..more they want it lowered...thus depriving johnmcintyre of his privacy and the local Council is dictating what can and cannot be done....its not about planting for privacy...quite the reverse, the neighbours want the view! I've had an idea that might help. It is my understanding that today anyone wanting to build or alter any structure can employ a private building surveyor/inspector to approve the plans and then the final structure...and I understand that this applies everywhere in Australia. So there is a way to by-pass all the nonsense. The Council does not have to know about or approve anything. You are employing (paying) a private building surveyor/inspector to help you get what you want on your own property. I think its all got beyond a joke. Just by-pass all the red tape and the neighbours! I've extended my house to incorporate a very large semi enclosed veranda, I've had a large water tank erected on a tall stand so it gravity feeds into my house..and have erected several 3m tall greenery covered screens along my fenceline adjoining the neighbours.. for reasons of privacy.....all without the local Council even knowing about it because I employed a private building surveyor for it all from start to finish. You would be paying him to be on your side and get you what you want and he does not have to submit to Council, he is his own boss and your client. You'd need to get a draftsman to draw up the plans to start with...then it should be smooth sailing.

These are photos of the stairwell in glacier grey. I tried to take photos going up the stairwell. This is in a house that we just sold, so things are moved and missing. As you can see the colour changes in the different light. I tried to show you how I started at the ground floor and followed the same colour up to the 3 rd floor. The other colour is Dulux Whisper white. This is not Besser Block but honestly you can paint Besser block in whatever colour you think will suit the walls. As I said I used whisper white and a charcoal, feature wall. different house. Looking at your photos I would probably suggest the Glacier grey with the whisper white and white railings. Hope the photos help.

The walls could be Gyrocked, they would probably need to be on 'furring channels' (or similar) to allow a gap between block and plasterboard with some form of sislation/vapour barrier or insulation. This is similar to what is done in commercial building construction like warehouse's. Call your local 'Gyprock' sales centre as they will know the full story. A insulation company such as 'Fletcher Insulation' may also have approved systems that are in compliance with the building codes. There are possibly other insulation products available that could be directly adhered to the masonry surface but I don't know of any off the top of my head....

Light grey looks great as someone said in a previous post makes top float Dark don't give Eno contrast Smooth or honed? I'd go for cheapest