Expert Building Design in Great Mackerel Beach

Great Mackerel Beach is a hidden gem accessible only by boat, nestled within Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. With no road access, dense vegetation, and a strong off-grid culture, designing here takes careful planning and full respect for the natural environment.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in Great Mackerel Beach. Whether you’re building a compact eco-home or upgrading an original weekender, we create sustainable designs tailored for remote, waterfront living.

We proudly serve Great Mackerel Beach with off-grid-ready, bushfire-compliant, and environmentally sensitive home designs.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Great Mackerel Beach?

  • Off-Grid Expertise: Solar, water, and septic solutions integrated into every design

  • Remote Access Planning: Materials and designs suited for barge or helicopter delivery

  • BAL-FZ and Flame-Zone Solutions: Fully compliant designs for high-risk bushfire areas

  • Minimal Environmental Impact: Lightweight footprints and native-vegetation sensitivity

  • Complete DA Support: We manage everything—so your dream home stays stress-free

Our Great Mackerel Beach building design services are crafted for resilience, peace, and harmony with nature.

Northern Beaches Council Requirements for Building in Great Mackerel Beach

 

  • Zoning:

    • E4 Environmental Living, with strict environmental, bushfire, and heritage controls

  • Setbacks:

    • Front: Determined case-by-case, especially near the foreshore

    • Side & Rear: 6m+ depending on vegetation and slope

  • Typical Lot Sizes:

    • 400–1,200 sqm; steep, narrow, and densely vegetated

  • Key Constraints:

    • Flame Zone (BAL-FZ) common across the suburb

    • Remote access—no vehicles, all materials by boat

    • No connection to town water, sewer, or power

    • National Parks proximity limits vegetation clearing

    • Limited site disturbance and excavation permitted

  • Utilities:

    • Entirely off-grid—solar, rainwater, septic, and satellite internet

Building in Great Mackerel Beach requires careful consideration of zoning overlays, bushfire ratings, and environmental planning policies.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Great Mackerel Beach Project?

Only DA is suitable due to zoning, bushfire risk, and access constraints. Whether it’s a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), we’ll guide you through the process from start to finish.

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

DA (Development Application):

  • Required for all builds in this suburb

  • We handle bushfire reports, landscape plans, and remote-building logistics

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Not applicable in this location

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 Great Mackerel Beach

  • Yes—with specific materials and design features. We handle all BAL assessments and compliance strategies.

  • We design for prefabrication or modular assembly. Materials are delivered via barge and sometimes by helicopter for hard-to-reach areas.

  • That depends on your block, slope, vegetation, and impact restrictions—but we design efficiently to maximize usable space.

  • Not at all! While we love working in spots like Avalon, Narrabeen, and Dee Why, we also take on projects across the North Shore, Ku-ring-gai, and even further out. We’re open to select builds up to 4 hours from the Northern Beaches 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 custom home designs to council-ready plans, we’re here to guide your project every step of the way. Let’s bring your vision to life — reach out today.

Our Building Design Services in Great Mackerel Beach

From off-grid family homes to minimalist weekenders, our Great Mackerel Beach building design services deliver thoughtful, low-impact living with full council compliance.

We make remote living comfortable, sustainable, and achievable.

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

See our projects in Elvina Bay, Scotland Island, and Lovett Bay—remote, boat-only suburbs where thoughtful design meets natural beauty.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Our Great Mackerel Beach building designs keep things simple, stylish, and smart.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Great Mackerel Beach?

We’re here to help you take the next step! whetheR It’s

a new chapter or a fresh upgrade

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 Great Mackerel Beach?

DMR Designs proudly serves the entire Northern Beaches—from Palm Beach and Avalon to Dee Why and Manly. Wherever you're building, we bring the same precision, creativity, and local know-how to every design.