Expert Building Design in Freemans Reach

Freemans Reach is a charming rural suburb nestled between Richmond and the Hawkesbury River, offering large, open blocks and a relaxed, family-friendly lifestyle. With a mix of acreage lots, hobby farms, and semi-rural estates, it's an ideal spot for custom homes, extensions, and dual-purpose living. However, low-lying areas near the river come with flood constraints, making smart design and council compliance critical from the start.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in Freemans Reach. Whether you're upgrading a family property, building a new home on acreage, or adding a secondary dwelling, we tailor designs to suit local planning controls and land conditions.

We proudly serve Freemans Reach and the broader Hawkesbury region—creating functional, compliant designs that reflect your land and lifestyle.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Freemans Reach?

  • Flood-Aware Designs: Elevated foundations and stormwater strategies for flood-affected lots

  • Lifestyle-Focused Layouts: Homes designed for acreage living, rural hobbies, and family use

  • Secondary Dwellings & Studios: Ideal for multi-generational living or rental potential

  • Complete DA Coordination: From flood reports to site classification and council submission

  • Practical and Beautiful: We blend rural charm with modern comforts and compliance

Our Freemans Reach building design projects balance space, functionality, and flood resilience—making the most of every rural block.

The Hawkesbury City Council Requirements for Building in Freemans Reach

  • Zoning:

    • Primarily RU4 Primary Production Small Lots and RU1 Primary Production

  • Setbacks:

    • Front: 20–30m | Side/Rear: 10–15m (adjusted for access or topography)

  • Typical Lot Sizes:

    • 5,000 sqm to 2 hectares

  • Key Constraints:

    • Flood overlays, on-site wastewater, potential bushfire zones, road access in wet weather

  • Utilities:

    • Most homes rely on tank water and septic; power and internet available on most streets

Building in Freemans Reach requires careful consideration of flood zoning, drainage, and environmental planning policies.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Freemans Reach Project?

Many properties in Freemans Reach require a Development Application (DA) due to flood risks or land size.

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand the difference:

DA (Development Application):

  • Ideal for new builds, dual dwellings, or renovations on flood-affected land

  • Includes drainage, BAL (if needed), and site-specific assessments

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Possible on compliant blocks outside the flood zone with standard setbacks

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 Freemans Reach

  • Absolutely. Many blocks in Freemans Reach support secondary dwellings, which we design with privacy and utility in mind.

  • Yes—we offer renovation plans that modernize homes while improving flood and bushfire resilience.

  • Typically 8–12 weeks from concept to submission, especially if bushfire or environmental reports are required.

  • Nope! While we know Annangrove well, we also work across The Hills and Hornsby—from Kurrajong and Oakville to St Albans, South Windsor and more. We're also available for select projects up to 4 hours away from The Hawksbury City 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 acreage layouts to bushfire-compliant plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
We’d love to hear about your project!

Our Building Design Services in Freemans Reach

We design custom homes, rural extensions, second dwellings, sheds, and compliant new builds—tailored for lifestyle blocks and rural zoning.

From modest extensions to striking new builds, our Freemans Reach building design services help your ideas become reality—stress free.

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 how we’ve helped others design modern rural homes with practicality, comfort, and council compliance in mind.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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From elevated family homes to versatile rural upgrades, our Freemans Reach building design services deliver smart, tailored results.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Freemans Reach?

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

starting fresh or upgrading a family 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 Freemans Reach?

DMR Designs proudly serves all of Hawkesbury City Council—from Kurrajong and Oakville to St Albans and South Windsor. Wherever you're located, we deliver local expertise and full-service building design.