Hi,
I am in Melbourne too, I have done one and only black pine before. Please see this post
viewtopic.php?f=38&t=317 .
With yours one, I would try to imagine that the layer works, and what branches on top I should not need. I will trim them off 2 or 3 weeks before
layering takes place. Yours is rather strong on the top.
Please keep us posted.
Good luck and best regards.