Expert Building Design in Falls Creek

Falls Creek is a semi-rural locality in the Shoalhaven region, located just off the Princes Highway. Known for its larger lots, bushland setting, and proximity to both Nowra and Jervis Bay, the area offers a peaceful lifestyle while remaining highly accessible. Housing in Falls Creek ranges from traditional farmhouses to modern country residences, with some properties incorporating hobby farms or eco-friendly designs.

At DMR Designs, we provide building design in Falls Creek that reflects the rural character while maximising comfort and efficiency. Our expertise includes navigating larger rural lots, environmental overlays, and Shoalhaven Council development controls. Whether you’re planning a family home, a rural retreat, or an acreage-style residence, we design solutions that balance lifestyle and compliance.

Our approach ensures Falls Creek designs capture the rural charm, sustainability, and practicality that property owners seek in this unique setting.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Falls Creek?

  • Rural Lifestyle Design: Homes that embrace wide frontages, open layouts, and seamless indoor-outdoor living.

  • Eco-Friendly Approach: Incorporation of passive solar design, rainwater harvesting, and renewable energy systems.

  • Acreage Expertise: Experience in designing for larger blocks and properties with agricultural or hobby-farm uses.

  • Bushfire-Aware Design: Solutions that address BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings where bushland adjoins residential lots.

  • Council Navigation: Knowledge of Shoalhaven Council’s rural zoning and environmental planning requirements.

Our Falls Creek designs deliver modern comfort, rural character, and council compliance, ensuring your home blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings.

Shoalhaven City Council Requirements for Building in Falls Creek

 

  • Zoning types:

    • RU1 Primary Production

    • RU2 Rural Landscape

    • Some R2 Low Density Residential near village areas

  • Setbacks:

    • Larger front setbacks often required for rural lots

    • Side and rear setbacks depend on lot size and land use

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Rural residential: 2,000m² – 5 hectares

    • Village lots: 600m² – 1,000m²

  • Key constraints:

    • Bushfire risk due to surrounding bushland

    • Biodiversity and waterway protection overlays

    • On-site wastewater management for larger rural lots

  • Utilities available:

    • Town water and power available in some areas, but many properties rely on rainwater tanks and on-site septic systems

    • NBN availability varies by location

Designing in Falls Creek often requires balancing rural character with modern sustainability measures and council compliance.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Falls Creek 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 rural zoned properties, bushfire-affected land, or designs involving agricultural use.

  • Necessary for projects seeking flexibility in setbacks or larger-scale development.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Possible for residential dwellings on smaller village lots where zoning and requirements are met.

  • Not generally suitable for larger rural holdings due to overlays and zoning 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 Falls Creek

  • Acreage homes, country-style residences, and rural retreats with large outdoor areas are most common.

  • Yes, agricultural or rural activities may require specific approvals from Shoalhaven Council.

  • Absolutely. Many clients choose off-grid or hybrid solutions with solar, rainwater collection, and sustainable materials.

  • 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 Falls Creek

We specialise in building design in Falls Creek for rural homes, lifestyle properties, and custom retreats. Our team ensures your project makes the most of your land while remaining fully compliant with planning rules.

From design concept to approvals, we provide end-to-end solutions tailored to your rural setting.

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 Falls Creek designs highlight wide verandahs, open interiors, and sustainable systems, all crafted for rural living.

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Home Designs

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Building in Falls Creek means addressing both council requirements and rural lifestyle needs—and that’s exactly what we deliver.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Falls Creek?

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 Falls Creek?

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.