Expert Building Design in Erowal Bay

Erowal Bay is a peaceful suburb on the shores of St Georges Basin, offering a relaxed lifestyle with easy access to Jervis Bay’s pristine beaches. Known for its mix of holiday homes, family residences, and waterfront properties, Erowal Bay attracts those who want to enjoy a quiet community while staying close to popular coastal destinations.

At DMR Designs, we specialise in building design in Erowal Bay that enhances the coastal character of the suburb while meeting Shoalhaven Council requirements. Our designs prioritise lifestyle, natural light, and compliance, ensuring each home blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment.

We are dedicated to creating homes in Erowal Bay that are functional, sustainable, and tailored to your lifestyle.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Erowal Bay?

  • Coastal Lifestyle: Designs that make the most of water views and breezes.

  • Practical Layouts: Family-friendly plans suited for both permanent and holiday living.

  • Sustainability: Energy-efficient features ideal for coastal environments.

  • Council Knowledge: Expertise in navigating Shoalhaven Council planning rules.

  • Custom Solutions: Tailored homes for both small blocks and larger properties.

Our Erowal Bay designs are built with lifestyle and compliance in mind, creating homes suited for the best of coastal living.

Shoalhaven City Council Requirements for Building in Erowal Bay

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • R3 Medium Density Residential

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks generally 6–7.5m

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

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Coastal residential blocks: 500m² – 700m²

  • Key constraints:

    • Bushfire overlays due to surrounding vegetation

    • Coastal foreshore building limitations

    • Stormwater management requirements

  • Utilities available:

    • Water, sewer, electricity, and NBN available in most areas

Designing in Erowal Bay requires balancing modern lifestyle needs with environmental and council regulations.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Erowal Bay 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 dual occupancies, foreshore developments, or bushfire-prone sites.

  • Needed when seeking flexibility beyond CDC allowances.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Possible for single homes, granny flats, or extensions that meet planning rules.

  • Provides a faster approval option for compliant properties.

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 Erowal Bay

  • Single-storey beach houses, modern family homes, and holiday rentals.

  • Yes, some areas are bushfire-prone, and homes must comply with BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) standards.

  • Absolutely, we specialise in adaptable designs for dual-purpose use.

  • 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 Erowal Bay

We provide tailored building design in Erowal Bay for single dwellings, duplexes, extensions, and knockdown rebuilds. Each project reflects the coastal lifestyle while meeting all council requirements.

From design through to approval, our team ensures your Erowal Bay home is built for functionality, comfort, and compliance.

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 Erowal Bay designs capture the essence of coastal living, with layouts that bring together comfort, style, and practicality.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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With our design expertise and local knowledge, building in Erowal Bay becomes a smooth and rewarding process.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Erowal Bay?

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 Erowal Bay?

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.