are there any issues with privet hedges?

do they smell?! it seems a good way to get a good looking hedge within a year or so and doesn't have to be so tightly packed and therefore a little less expensive?

what you all think?

Apart from privet being a noxious weed, they do smell and are also bad for people with allergies. I've just spent months removing privet from my block. I'd plant lilly pillies, there native and have small leaves similar to privet but will take longer to grow.

Adam.......

I say a Big NO to the PRIVET. Plenty of other alternatives. As mentioned it is a noxious weed and a total menace to our bushland and environment.
Had many Springs (seasons) with my kids with conjunctivitis and chronic sinus from the Privet tree that once inhabited our backyard.

understood - that seems fair enough - but why to nurseries still sell it if its so bad?!

what about myrtus luma? http://hellohello.com.au/myrtus.html

They are naughty. There are usually inspectors that go around and check. (for the noxious weeds variety)

This link may/may not help you a bit re the Privet.
http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1366336.htm

It is a weed as mentioned. A bit naughty to grow or sell it.

The house behind my backyard has a large privet tree about 10 metres high that is very close to my fence. The bats inhabit it in the winter months and drop their poo all over the back yard, clothes line and house...the bat poo has the consistency of tar and is practically indelible.
I've asked my neighbour's landlord (NESB gentleman) if he would remove the tree but he has no plans to do so and doesn't understand what a noxious weed is.
What can I do about the problem, if anything?

You can talk to council and they may be able to force him to remove it under some environmental law regarding noxious and environmental weeds

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets ... ropean.pdf

That link was an interesting read about privet - a class 4 noxious weed. I'll see what council says.