Expert Building Design in Illawong

Illawong is a prestigious residential suburb in the Sutherland Shire, nestled between the Georges and Woronora Rivers. Known for its large family homes, leafy streets, and elevated outlooks, Illawong offers a peaceful lifestyle with plenty of space. Many properties enjoy water views, making it one of the most desirable suburbs in the area. Families are drawn here for its quiet environment, quality schools, and easy access to both nature reserves and urban amenities.

At DMR Designs, we specialise in building design in Illawong that takes full advantage of the suburb’s unique setting. Whether it’s a luxury riverside home, a duplex project, or a modern renovation, our designs are crafted to maximise views, functionality, and compliance with Sutherland Shire Council requirements.

Our focus is on creating homes that balance lifestyle, comfort, and style while respecting the leafy character and topography of Illawong.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Illawong?

  • Water View Maximisation: Designs that capture outlooks over the Georges and Woronora Rivers.

  • Family Lifestyle: Spacious layouts suited to larger blocks.

  • Slope Solutions: Smart design for elevated or sloping sites.

  • Luxury Features: High-end design options to match Illawong’s prestige.

  • Compliance Expertise: Skilled in navigating Sutherland Shire Council planning rules.

Our Illawong designs blend modern living with natural beauty, tailored to each block’s unique potential.

Sutherland Shire Council Requirements for Building in Illawong

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • E4 Environmental Living (foreshore and bushland areas)

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks generally 6–8m

    • Side and rear setbacks depend on lot size and slope

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Detached homes: 700–1,200 sqm

    • Duplexes: 400–600 sqm per dwelling

  • Key constraints:

    • Height limits generally capped at 8.5m

    • Bushfire and foreshore building controls apply in some areas

    • Tree preservation and slope stability requirements

  • Utilities available:

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

Designing in Illawong requires careful consideration of the terrain, vegetation, and riverfront character.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the Sutherland Shire Council website.

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Illawong 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 sloping or waterfront blocks, and for designs that exceed standard codes.

  • Necessary for duplexes or sites with environmental overlays.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for straightforward single dwellings or alterations on standard blocks.

  • Provides a faster approval route where conditions allow.

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 Illawong

  • Illawong is known for large family homes, modern rebuilds, and luxury residences with water views.

  • Yes, foreshore areas and bushland blocks often require compliance with environmental and tree preservation controls.

  • Absolutely — we create split-level and elevated homes that optimise views and make the most of challenging terrain.

  • While we know the Sutherland Shire area well, we also work across many suburbs within the Sutherland Shire Council area, including Cronulla, Caringbah, Engadine, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the Sutherland Shire 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 beachside homes to bushland retreats and specialized compliance plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. We’d love to hear about your Sutherland Shire project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Illawong

We provide tailored building design in Illawong for new homes, duplexes, and renovations. Our designs focus on maximising views, comfort, and style while ensuring compliance with council requirements.

From luxury homes to practical family layouts, we deliver solutions that reflect Illawong’s prestige and natural surroundings.

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 our Illawong portfolio, showcasing homes that capture water views, work with the land’s slope, and provide modern comfort.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in Illawong demands expert design solutions that balance lifestyle with compliance — and that’s what we offer.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Illawong?

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

starting fresh or upgrading your Sutherland Shire 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 Illawong?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire Sutherland Shire Council area. From Cronulla and Caringbah to Engadine and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.