Expert Building Design in Gerringong

Gerringong is a vibrant coastal town in the Shoalhaven, known for its stunning beaches, rolling green hills, and relaxed seaside lifestyle. The suburb features a mix of modern family homes, beachside residences, holiday rentals, and boutique townhouses, attracting families, retirees, and lifestyle seekers who want the perfect blend of coastal living and rural charm.

At DMR Designs, we provide customised building design in Gerringong that captures the suburb’s coastal-rural character while fully complying with Shoalhaven Council planning regulations. Each design maximises natural light, coastal views, and functional living spaces that suit the community’s active and relaxed lifestyle.

We create homes in Gerringong that combine modern style, practicality, and coastal charm, ideal for permanent residences, holiday homes, or multi-generational family living.


Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Gerringong?

  • Coastal & Scenic Living: Designs that optimise views of beaches and surrounding hills.

  • Family-Oriented Layouts: Functional homes suitable for permanent or holiday living.

  • Sustainable Features: Energy-efficient designs to suit coastal weather conditions.

  • Council Expertise: Skilled navigation of Shoalhaven Council coastal planning, heritage, and environmental controls.

  • Versatile Designs: Perfect for holiday homes, family residences, or multi-generational living.

Our Gerringong designs deliver a seamless balance of style, practicality, and coastal lifestyle integration.


Shoalhaven City Council Requirements for Building in Gerringong

 
  • Zoning types:

    • R1 General Residential

    • RU2 Rural Landscape

    • E3 Environmental Management (for sensitive bushland areas)

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks typically 6m – 12m

    • Side and rear setbacks vary based on dwelling type and lot size

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Detached homes: 400m² – 2000m²

    • Rural and lifestyle lots: 1ha – 5ha

  • Key constraints:

    • Bushfire-prone areas on the outskirts

    • Coastal erosion and flood overlays in some areas

    • Height and streetscape controls near heritage or coastal zones

  • Utilities available:

    • Fully serviced with water, sewer, electricity, gas, and NBN

Building in Gerringong requires designs that respect both coastal and semi-rural character while meeting council standards.

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


DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Gerringong 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 multi-dwelling developments, properties in bushfire-prone or flood zones, or projects needing variations from CDC standards.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for single dwellings and extensions that fully meet council controls.

  • Provides a faster approval pathway for compliant builds in standard zones.

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 Gerringong

  • Beachside residences, modern family homes, and boutique townhouses.

  • Yes, some areas are bushfire-prone or have flood and coastal erosion overlays, requiring careful design.

  • Absolutely, our designs take advantage of orientation, light, and sightlines to optimise views and ventilation.

  • 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 Gerringong

We provide building design in Gerringong for family homes, beachside residences, and holiday properties, ensuring each design suits the land, views, and lifestyle needs.

From concept to council approval, we deliver compliant, functional, and stylish coastal designs.

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 Gerringong projects showcase homes that celebrate coastal living while offering practical, modern, and comfortable spaces.

Portfolio

Home Designs

With DMR Designs, building in Gerringong perfectly balances lifestyle, style, and compliance.


Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Gerringong?

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 Gerringong?

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.