Expert Building Design in Burrier

Burrier is a secluded rural locality in the Shoalhaven region, nestled along the Shoalhaven River and surrounded by rugged bushland. Known for its natural beauty, rolling hills, and large-acreage properties, Burrier offers a private country lifestyle with stunning views and outdoor recreational opportunities. The housing mix here includes rural homesteads, farmhouses, and custom homes designed to suit the steep terrain and environmental overlays.

At DMR Designs, we deliver building design solutions in Burrier that reflect the area’s rugged landscapes and rural character. Our team creates homes that maximise river and bushland views while addressing the challenges of sloping blocks, bushfire risk, and access considerations. Every design is carefully tailored to comply with Shoalhaven Council planning controls.

Our approach ensures each Burrier design combines practicality, sustainability, and liveability, allowing residents to enjoy the beauty of the location while meeting all requirements for safety and comfort.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Burrier?

  • Sloping Block Expertise: Designs tailored for elevated or hillside sites with efficient use of levels.

  • Bushfire-Safe Design: Integration of BAL-rated construction to comply with safety standards.

  • Sustainable Living: Off-grid options including solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and wastewater solutions.

  • View-Focused Layouts: Maximising river and valley outlooks with open-plan living.

  • Council Approval Knowledge: Experienced in handling rural and environmental overlays under Shoalhaven Council.

Our Burrier designs balance environmental resilience, modern comfort, and compliance, perfectly suited to this rural setting.

Shoalhaven City Council Requirements for Building in Burrier

 

  • Zoning types:

    • RU2 Rural Landscape

    • E3 Environmental Management

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks generally 15–25m depending on road frontage

    • Side and rear setbacks vary by lot size and slope

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Rural properties: 2 hectares – 40 hectares

    • Secondary dwellings: minimum 800m² where permitted

  • Key constraints:

    • Bushfire-prone land requiring BAL-rated design

    • Steep slopes and access challenges for construction

    • Limited subdivision opportunities due to rural zoning

  • Utilities available:

    • Tank water, on-site wastewater, electricity, and NBN fixed wireless in some locations

Designing in Burrier requires thoughtful planning for steep terrain and bushfire overlays while meeting Shoalhaven Council standards.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Burrier 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 most rural homes due to bushfire, slope, and environmental overlays.

  • Needed for large dwellings, sheds, or projects on steep terrain.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • May be possible for small single dwellings on compliant sites.

  • Rare in Burrier because environmental factors usually trigger DA requirements.

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 Burrier

  • Large rural homesteads, farmhouses, and custom-designed homes suited to sloping or elevated sites dominate the area.

  • Yes, most properties are affected by bushfire zoning and slope constraints, meaning BAL construction standards and tailored site solutions are required.

  • Absolutely. We specialise in self-sufficient homes with solar power, rainwater collection, and on-site wastewater systems for rural living.

  • 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 Burrier

We provide building design in Burrier for rural residences, secondary dwellings, and off-grid homes. Our focus is on creating designs that embrace the natural surroundings while delivering comfort and practicality.

From initial planning to approval, our Burrier projects are shaped to meet council requirements while enhancing lifestyle and property value.

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

Explore our Burrier designs, where hillside homes and river-view residences are tailored to meet both environmental demands and lifestyle goals. Each project demonstrates our ability to balance function, beauty, and compliance.

Portfolio

⇨

Home Designs

⇨

Building in Burrier requires careful navigation of steep terrain and bushfire overlays—our expertise ensures your project is planned and executed seamlessly.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Burrier?

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 Burrier?

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.