Expert Building Design in Comerong Island

Comerong Island is a unique and secluded community in the Shoalhaven region, accessible only by ferry across the Shoalhaven River. Surrounded by waterways and nature reserves, the island is known for its serene environment, wildlife, and laid-back lifestyle. Housing here consists of modest holiday cottages, heritage-style homes, and eco-conscious dwellings that suit the island’s natural charm and remote setting.

At DMR Designs, we specialise in building design in Comerong Island that balances isolation with comfort. Our expertise ensures that every project suits the island’s sensitive environment while complying with Shoalhaven Council planning regulations. We carefully design homes to withstand flood-prone conditions, provide off-grid solutions, and respect the heritage character where applicable.

Our approach delivers sustainable, practical, and resilient homes, ensuring residents can enjoy island living without compromising on modern comfort or council compliance.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Comerong Island?

  • Island-Living Expertise: Designs suited to ferry-only access and remote construction needs.

  • Flood-Resilient Homes: Elevated designs and durable materials to address flood-prone land.

  • Eco-Friendly Integration: Focus on solar power, rainwater collection, and low-impact design.

  • Heritage-Sensitive Design: Respect for traditional cottage styles and island character.

  • Council Approval Guidance: Skilled in navigating Shoalhaven Council approvals for environmentally sensitive land.

Our Comerong Island designs deliver a unique balance of sustainability, heritage sensitivity, and resilience, perfectly suited to this secluded setting.

Shoalhaven City Council Requirements for Building in Comerong Island

 

  • Zoning types:

    • RU2 Rural Landscape

    • E2 Environmental Conservation

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks typically 7.5–15m

    • Side and rear setbacks vary by lot size and dwelling type

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Detached homes: 800m² – 5,000m²

    • Holiday cottages and secondary dwellings: minimum 450m² where zoning allows

  • Key constraints:

    • Flood-prone land requiring elevated construction methods

    • Limited access for building materials due to ferry transport

    • Environmental protections restricting vegetation clearing

  • Utilities available:

    • Off-grid solutions common—tank water, on-site wastewater, solar power; limited NBN access

Building in Comerong Island requires flood-aware design and eco-friendly planning that aligns with Shoalhaven Council regulations.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Comerong Island 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 new homes due to flood overlays and environmental zoning.

  • Essential for heritage-sensitive or non-standard designs.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Possible for straightforward single dwellings if fully compliant.

  • Rare on Comerong Island given access issues and environmental restrictions.

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 Comerong Island

  • The island features small holiday cottages, modest coastal homes, and eco-conscious dwellings that adapt to flood-prone land.

  • Yes, homes must consider flood risks, limited access for construction, and strict environmental protections.

  • Absolutely. We specialise in self-sufficient homes with solar power, rainwater tanks, and on-site wastewater systems for remote 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 Comerong Island

We provide building design in Comerong Island for holiday homes, permanent residences, and eco-friendly dwellings. Each design is customised to the site’s environmental constraints and access conditions.

From concept to approval, our team ensures every Comerong Island project is both practical and fully compliant with Shoalhaven Council standards.

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

Discover our Comerong Island designs, where elevated homes and sustainable cottages showcase how rural island living can be comfortable and stylish. Each project reflects the balance of resilience and natural integration.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building on Comerong Island requires specialist knowledge of environmental and flood conditions—this is where our expertise makes the difference.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Comerong Island?

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 Comerong Island?

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.