Expert Building Design in Greenwell Point

Greenwell Point is a coastal village in the Shoalhaven region, renowned for its fishing industry, riverfront lifestyle, and relaxed community feel. Homes in the area include older cottages, waterfront holiday houses, and newer modern dwellings that maximise views of the Crookhaven River. The suburb’s charm lies in its seaside atmosphere, with locals enjoying boating, fishing, and fresh seafood dining right at their doorstep.

At DMR Designs, we specialise in building design in Greenwell Point that complements the village’s maritime character. Our approach ensures homes make the most of river views, natural ventilation, and sustainable coastal design practices, while meeting Shoalhaven Council planning requirements. Whether it’s a new family residence, a holiday retreat, or a rebuild, we create designs that reflect the unique coastal setting.

Our Greenwell Point designs combine lifestyle, durability, and compliance, ensuring your property is tailored for both daily living and seaside enjoyment.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Greenwell Point?

  • Waterfront Maximisation: Homes designed to capture river views, breezes, and outdoor living opportunities.

  • Coastal Resilience: Elevated and flood-aware designs to protect against tidal and weather impacts.

  • Village Character Respect: Sensitive designs that complement Greenwell Point’s relaxed and low-scale streetscape.

  • Eco-Friendly Integration: Solar orientation, cross-ventilation, and sustainable materials suited to coastal living.

  • Council Expertise: Strong understanding of Shoalhaven Council’s coastal overlays and flood-prone land requirements.

Our Greenwell Point designs deliver a careful balance of seaside charm, modern functionality, and council compliance for a home built to last.

Shoalhaven City Council Requirements for Building in Greenwell Point

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • RU5 Village near local facilities

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks typically 6m but may vary depending on streetscape

    • Side and rear setbacks determined by lot width and flood controls

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Village residential lots: 500m² – 1,000m²

    • Waterfront sites: generally larger to accommodate setbacks and flood planning

  • Key constraints:

    • Flood risk due to riverfront location

    • Coastal erosion and tidal influence in certain areas

    • Building height limits to protect village character

  • Utilities available:

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

    • Gas available in some areas

Building in Greenwell Point requires careful consideration of flood and coastal planning controls, while still creating homes that maximise lifestyle opportunities.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Greenwell Point 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 homes on flood-affected land, waterfront properties, or where design variations are proposed.

  • Necessary for multi-dwelling projects or developments with coastal hazard constraints.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Possible for single dwellings or additions on compliant inland lots not affected by overlays.

  • Limited use on waterfront blocks due to flood and erosion overlays.

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 Greenwell Point

  • Many homes are modest coastal cottages, alongside larger holiday and waterfront residences built for views.

  • Yes, flood planning controls apply to many properties, requiring elevated floor levels and resilient construction methods.

  • Absolutely. We create layouts that maximise orientation to the water while ensuring privacy and compliance.

  • 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 Greenwell Point

We offer building design in Greenwell Point tailored to riverfront homes, village cottages, and coastal rebuilds. Each project is carefully planned to maximise lifestyle benefits while remaining within council controls.

From design sketches to approval, we deliver homes that embody Greenwell Point’s relaxed coastal spirit while ensuring long-term functionality.

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 Greenwell Point projects showcase waterfront living at its best, with designs that embrace natural light, outdoor living, and the unique coastal setting.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in Greenwell Point demands a balance of compliance, resilience, and lifestyle—and that’s exactly what we provide.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Greenwell Point?

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 Greenwell Point?

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.