Expert Building Design in Dunmore

Dunmore is a semi-rural suburb in the Shellharbour region, well known for its quarries, farmland, and the picturesque wetlands surrounding the Minnamurra River. The suburb has a unique mix of agricultural land, industrial sites, and lifestyle acreage properties. Its proximity to Shellharbour, Kiama, and the coastline makes it a convenient yet tranquil location for those wanting more space and privacy.

At DMR Designs, we create customised Building Design Dunmore solutions that respect the suburb’s rural-industrial identity. Whether you’re planning a large lifestyle home, secondary dwelling, or upgrading an existing property, our designs combine comfort and practicality while ensuring compliance with Shellharbour City Council regulations.

Our approach balances the area’s rural charm with modern living requirements, delivering designs that maximise land potential and reflect Dunmore’s unique setting.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Dunmore?

  • Rural Lifestyle Designs: Spacious homes suited to larger blocks and acreage properties.

  • Sustainable Solutions: Eco-friendly inclusions for water, energy, and waste efficiency.

  • Flexible Layouts: Homes designed for families, home businesses, or multi-generational living.

  • Environmental Awareness: Designs that consider wetlands and natural landscapes.

  • Compliance Expertise: Guidance through Shellharbour City Council’s rural planning requirements.

Our Dunmore designs bring together lifestyle appeal, compliance, and long-term practicality.

Shellharbour Council Requirements for Building in Dunmore

 

  • Zoning types:

    • RU1 Primary Production

    • RU2 Rural Landscape

    • IN1 General Industrial (for quarry and industrial precincts)

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks typically 10m – 20m for rural dwellings

    • Side and rear setbacks vary by lot size and land use

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Rural holdings: 2,000m² – 5 hectares

    • Industrial allotments: variable depending on land use

  • Key constraints:

    • Quarry operations and industrial activity may impact noise and dust

    • Wetlands and flood-prone land near Minnamurra River

    • Bushfire risk on elevated and vegetated sites

  • Utilities available:

    • Power, water, and NBN available in many areas; some properties require on-site sewer or water management

Building in Dunmore requires designs that respect both the natural environment and Shellharbour City Council’s rural and industrial planning controls.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Dunmore 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 dwellings on rural or flood-prone land.

  • Necessary for industrial developments, secondary dwellings, and projects outside CDC standards.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Limited use in Dunmore due to rural zoning and environmental constraints.

  • May apply to minor alterations, compliant secondary dwellings, or sheds where criteria are met.

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 Dunmore

  • Dunmore mainly consists of acreage lifestyle homes, farm-style dwellings, and some industrial worker residences.

  • Yes, parts of Dunmore are flood-prone or near wetlands, requiring careful site planning and flood-resilient design.

  • Yes — we provide designs that optimise larger lots while complying with council’s rural housing rules.

  • While we know the Blue Mountains area well, we also work across many suburbs within the Blue Mountains City Council area, including Katoomba, Springwood, Leura, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the Blue Mountains 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-inspired designs to specialized compliance plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. We’d love to hear about your Shellharbour project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Dunmore

We provide tailored building design in Dunmore for rural homes, dual-occupancies, and renovations. Our designs consider both the functional requirements of rural properties and the lifestyle aspirations of modern families.

From large-scale lifestyle homes to practical additions, our Dunmore projects deliver compliance, comfort, and quality.

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 Dunmore portfolio highlights how thoughtful design enhances rural living. From expansive homes that embrace farmland views to secondary dwellings that add flexibility, each project is carefully crafted to match the local setting.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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With expertise in rural and industrial planning, DMR Designs makes building in Dunmore a smooth and rewarding process.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Dunmore?

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

starting fresh or upgrading your Shellharbour 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 Dunmore?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire Shellharbour City Council area. From Barrack Heights and Oak Flats to Albion Park and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.