Yes, rake the needles (and gravel) onto the path, before improving the soil, and periodically during the off-season for the flowering plants. They tend to restrict growth and do not add to the appearance of the foliage or flowers, don't you agree? Not sure what does well in your area, but here's a list to take to your garden center that might brighten your day, and cover the ground. Cotoneaster dammeri, Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific", Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus", Asperula odorata, Dianthus gratianopolitanus "Bath's Pink", Adiantum pedatum, Ophiopogon japonicus, Parthenocissus tricuspidata or quinquefolia (I forget which one climbs up the trees, but get the other one), Most of the above will do well in any pH soil, so don't be afraid to sweeten it, if advised to locally. I would not plant all these together, but you have plenty of room to match up good companions in each area. Some, like the junipers like a little more sun to make you smile. That should get you started in covering the ground. The local folks will be eager to sweeten the list, I am sure. Enjoy the process. Involve your family and friends. Nobody does it alone.

having done the same thing many years ago i can make the following suggestions: ...have a good all weather drive and parking area for a crowd of house builders and visitors before the house is built, plan for a fenced off dam to attract wildlife that can be viewed from the house, if you have any slopes reseach "haha" for dividing areas, your local council or Agricultural dept should be able to advise plants native to the area, concentrate on trees and big shrubs (planted in groups and heavily mulched) before you worry about garden beds, invest in perfect planting holes with plastic tree guards and an irrigation system (even a plastic bottle of water upside down next to the new planting will help) invest in some basic fencing tools and start dividing the property into separate areas for specific purpose, starting with a house paddock small enough to mow with a domestic mower, keep the majority of trees and big shrubs outside the house paddock a good fire break away from the house (check out fire prevention for your area) don't build a house meant for the suburbs on your property, create shade near the house with extensive verandahs and pergolas to create shelter from sun and wind from every direction, build your garage or big shed away from the house with a covered walkway creating sheltered courtyards (like an English walled vege garden) plan for water tanks to save water off every roof (including the chook house)...our best idea was a big covered alfresco area carefully screened with shade cloth and a locking door...kept out flies and snakes, great safe space for little kids and dogs as well as room for a table seating 20 for Christmas. Illness forced our retirement from the property just as trees were reaching maturity so make sure your trees are planted first to give you the opportunity to enjoy them sooner and very best of of luck with your new life

Have you considered planting outside your fence with the golden canes. (Hardy enough to re-position) Councils don't usually mind. Privacy with visual depth to them and then you can plant something more fun in your small garden space without the issue of palm roots stealing all the nutrients, A flowering vine on your mesh fence would be the fastest privacy screen.

Plain, modern dark brick house trying to spruce up by redesigning this garden. Hawthorn's will be removed. I have 6 lillypilly topairies, which will be shaped into a raised rectangle hedge for privacy, but allows for underplanting. Considering buxus ball on either end, or 2 with the outer one being smaller. Garden bed is narrow (approx 7m x 90cm) so not much to work with. Would like it semi/formal. Faulkner buxus matches the lillypilly leaf, use this under the them or something woth colour? Gardenias? Was inspired by these other Houzz projects. Feel like it needs to be symmetrical, though I love mixes of plants