Expert Building Design in Bendalong

Bendalong is a relaxed coastal village in the Shoalhaven region, known for its surf beaches, clear waters, and strong holiday appeal. The suburb is surrounded by bushland and national parks, giving it a balance of natural beauty and seaside charm. Housing here includes a mix of original beach shacks, holiday rentals, and new contemporary homes designed to suit the relaxed lifestyle of the area.

At DMR Designs, we provide building design in Bendalong that makes the most of its coastal and bushland setting. Our homes are tailored to maximise natural breezes, light, and outdoor living while ensuring compliance with Shoalhaven Council’s planning guidelines.

Our Bendalong designs combine coastal resilience, lifestyle comfort, and environmental awareness, making every project a seamless fit for this unique seaside community.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Bendalong?

  • Coastal Resilience: Durable homes designed to withstand salt air and marine conditions.

  • Holiday & Permanent Living: Layouts tailored for families, retirees, and holidaymakers.

  • Outdoor Lifestyle: Designs that encourage open-plan living and seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

  • Eco-Friendly Features: Sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems for long-term value.

  • Council Expertise: Strong understanding of Shoalhaven Council’s coastal planning regulations.

Our Bendalong projects deliver resilient, sustainable, and lifestyle-driven homes suited to coastal living.

Shoalhaven City Council Requirements for Building in Bendalong

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • E3 Environmental Management

    • RU2 Rural Landscape (fringe areas)

  • Setbacks:

    • Standard front setbacks: 6–7.5m

    • Side and rear setbacks vary by dwelling type

    • Coastal foreshore setbacks apply in sensitive locations

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Residential lots: 600m²–1,000m²

    • Larger blocks backing onto bushland may exceed 1,200m²

  • Key constraints:

    • Coastal erosion risks and environmental overlays

    • Bushfire-prone land adjacent to national parks

    • Building height and bulk limits to maintain coastal character

  • Utilities available:

    • Town water, sewer, electricity, and NBN available

    • Some properties rely on supplementary rainwater tanks

Building in Bendalong requires designs that respect the coastal environment and Shoalhaven Council’s planning standards.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the Shoalhaven City Council website.

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Bendalong Project?

Whether it’s a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), we’ll guide you in finding the fastest and most compliant approval pathway—anywhere in New South Wales.

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand the difference:

DA (Development Application):

  • Required for projects in foreshore protection areas or bushfire zones.

  • Necessary for multi-dwelling projects or non-standard designs.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for standard single dwellings in compliant zones.

  • Limited availability for sites impacted by coastal or environmental constraints.

Need help figuring out which route suits your site? We’ll assess your block and walk you through your options.

 

FAQs About Building Design in Bendalong

  • Beach shacks, modern coastal homes, and holiday retreats dominate the area.

  • Yes, properties near bushland must comply with bushfire protection measures.

  • Absolutely — we create flexible homes suited for family living and holiday accommodation.

  • While we know the Shoalhaven area well, we also work across many suburbs within the Shoalhaven City Council area, including Nowra, Huskisson, Ulladulla, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the Shoalhaven Council area.

  • Cost depends on the scope of your project. We’ll walk you through pricing during your discovery call so you know exactly what to expect.

Ready to take the next step?

From coastal retreats to bushfire-compliant plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. We’d love to hear about your Shoalhaven project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Bendalong

We provide building design in Bendalong for beachside residences, duplexes, and holiday homes. Our designs focus on blending relaxed seaside style with compliance and long-term durability.

From concept to completion, we deliver tailored, modern, and practical designs that suit Bendalong’s coastal lifestyle.

What to Expect: Our Building Design Timeline

A step-by-step look at how we take your project from concept to council approval and beyond.

Every project starts with a discovery call and ends with council-approved, build-ready plans.

Here’s how we make it easy from start to finish:

Step 1 - Discovery Call

  • Let’s chat! We’ll have a quick call to understand your project and see how we can help.

Step 2 -Site Visit & Consultation (5–7 days)

  • We’ll meet at your site (or virtually), take a closer look, and discuss your vision in detail.

Step 3 - Fee Proposal (2 days)

  • You’ll get a clear, no-surprises proposal with the scope, timeline, and costs.

Step 4 - Concept Design (4 weeks)

  • We’ll create initial design ideas and layouts tailored just for you.

Step 5 - Design Development & Expert Coordination (2 weeks)

  • We’ll fine-tune the design and collaborate with any needed specialists (engineer, energy consultant, town planner, geo tech engineer, bushfire, heritage consultant, etc).

Step 6 - Final Adjustments (1 week)

  • We’ll polish everything and prepare the final drawings for submission.

Step 7 - Submission for Approval

  • We handle the council or certifier submission, so you’re ready for the next steps.

Want the full breakdown?

View our detailed process here.

From Plans to Reality: See How It All Comes Together

Our Bendalong projects showcase homes designed to take advantage of sea breezes, outdoor living, and natural surroundings.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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When building in Bendalong, DMR Designs ensures every project captures the relaxed coastal lifestyle while meeting Shoalhaven Council requirements.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Bendalong?

We’re here to help you take the next step, whether you’re

starting fresh or upgrading your Shoalhaven City home.

We’d love to hear what you have in mind. Book a discovery call or send us a message, and we’ll be in touch within 48 hours.

Not based in Bendalong?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire Shoalhaven City Council area. From Nowra and Huskisson to Ulladulla and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.