Wow, what a difference, I had no idea just how big the area was from the before photos, but this looks great - clean and easy to maintain as well. I can see in time the plantings will give a nice lushness and softness to the area that will also help visually cool the area in summer as well. I also like the elevated garden - I can assure you this is a real bonus in senior years. Wondering how many of the old crowd are still around, I lost the ability to post photos after a computer update quite some years back and then couldn't make comments either, so I'm thrilled suddenly the site seems to be working for me. I felt I'd been excommunicated. Not long after this post, I up and sold my Sydney house, was totally fed up with the overdevelopment happening and moved to Port Stephens for some quiet country life. Bought a house on a small block of land that wouldn't be too much for me to maintain in my senior years and the back garden faces north so gets sun all day winter and summer - beautiful in winter as it lets the sun in the house on that side too, but almost unliveable in summer. House had been leased all its life so I literally had a blank canvas - after I'd levelled the craters the tenant's dog had created - I needed privacy from neighbours but didn't want a lot of maintenance, including no lawns to mow, so I've used low maintenance shrubs growing to about 2m around the perimeter and 4 crepe myrtles in the centre area for shade to sit under in summer while allowing full sun in winter. Just waiting for everything to grow now, but thanks to Covid and lockdowns, I've had plenty of time to garden. Thanks for the update Rog, I hope everyone is staying safe and well.

My suggestion is a little outside the box but I'm thinking that's what you're really looking for through this post and it does successfully keep costs down while working effectively with your floorplan. Assuming the living room has a reasonable boundary setback at the left-hand side, create a path along this boundary to a new entry door behind the living room. You'd need to carefully plan your planting, paving and lighting to make it work, particularly at night, but with care, it could be an effective solution at minimal cost. The following link is to a recently sold property in Perth's inner suburbs with this same arrangement - I was looking for a photo showing it lit at night - so inviting - but unfortunately that image has been taken down. 24 St Vincents Ave https://www.google.com/maps/@-31.935112,115.82416,3a,28.116278y,80.22554h,-6.3166046t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s4OIOyx_m_OZpOVYCG8fbFw!2e0

No-one seems to have brought up what , to me , seems like the second most logical suggestion ( admitttedly , without knowing the planning rules ) . The logical still seems to be to sell . Failing that , I'd look at extending the study , taking in the courtyard , alter the internal door ( suggestion - a single door on the 'right' side of the existing study doors area ) , add an ensuite ( relatively easy as the existing bathroom is just through the wall ) , and make that room your master bedroom with en-suite . Move the ranchslider , or add a roof to floor window , to get natural light into the new master , and possibly add a skylight or two above the dining room , as it will lose the ranchslider . Not perfect , but if you go up it will be costly , there are engineering issues , matching materials , new roof , all sorts of logistical problems . 'My' suggestion cuts down outdoor space , and may exceed the building to land-size ratios , but its so much easier building , engineering , roofing , plumbing and materials matching wise , gives you all or most of the space you are after , so IMO way more bang per buck . Having said that , only you know your priorities , budget and what you are happy to give up to gain .

What a beautiful space, I would sit there all day, just gorgeous.