The answer depends on a number of questions:

1. What *type* of 'native garden' do you plan on creating ? The requirements for a rainforest-style garden differ from an 'arid garden', and both differ from a cottage-style garden. If you use plants that are indigeneous to your area, you *may* not have to condition your soil at all.

2. What is the current condition of your block ? Is the soil compacted from vehicles/building activity etc ? Do you have remnant trees or large shrubs that you want to keep ? Will your new garden 'clash' with the gardens on either side in terms of style and layout ? Its your decision, but these are all factors that you need to consider.

3. Have the soil tested, either with a PH kit or via a lab - the latter costs more but you'll get a more thorough analysis.

4. Look at your aspect : where does the sun fall in Winter vs Summer ? If you need a lot of plants which can handle the hot Western sun in Summer, and most of us do, these will form the backbone of your garden and you can work from there.

5. When you've decided on a plan and a style, I'd suggest that you take on the hard landscaping before you look at conditioning your soil. Any form of Dingo or similar equipment is going to add to your woes - once you have your entertainment areas, paths and things like water features laid out, you can look at your soil.

6. Most of the guides I've read deal with preparation for a rainforest-style garden, but its pretty much in line with good gardening practice regardless of what you are growing. Good soil needs aeration, nutrients and an optimum water-holding capability. If you have clay, you need to 'loosen' it up - sand and you need to 'build it up' : again, commonsense stuff. I wont bore you any longer - take a look at the info given in the link below, and all the best with your efforts.

Cheers,

Artie