Expert Building Design in Kurnell

Kurnell is a coastal suburb in the Sutherland Shire, famous as the landing place of Captain Cook and surrounded by natural beauty. With its proximity to Botany Bay and Cronulla beaches, the suburb has a relaxed, village-like atmosphere. Housing in Kurnell is a mix of older fibro cottages, contemporary rebuilds, and larger modern homes, making it attractive to families, retirees, and those seeking a beachside lifestyle.

At DMR Designs, we specialise in building design in Kurnell that complements the suburb’s coastal character while addressing the unique planning challenges of the area. From seaside homes that maximise views to practical family residences, our designs are customised to both lifestyle needs and Sutherland Shire Council requirements.

We create designs that balance style, resilience, and compliance, ensuring every home suits Kurnell’s natural setting while offering modern comfort and functionality.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Kurnell?

  • Coastal Living Focus: Homes designed to embrace light, views, and sea breezes.

  • Weather-Resilient Builds: Practical solutions for wind, salt, and sand exposure.

  • Heritage Sensitivity: Respect for the suburb’s historic and cultural significance.

  • Sustainable Practices: Eco-friendly features suited to coastal living.

  • Council Knowledge: Expertise with Sutherland Shire Council planning rules.

Our Kurnell designs are tailored to create homes that thrive in a unique coastal environment.

Sutherland Shire Council Requirements for Building in Kurnell

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • E4 Environmental Living (in sensitive coastal areas)

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks typically 4.5–7m

    • Side and rear setbacks vary by dwelling type and block size

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Detached homes: 500–800 sqm

    • Duplexes: 350–450 sqm per dwelling

  • Key constraints:

    • Coastal hazard and flood risk management

    • Building height limit of 8.5m

    • Bushfire-prone and environmentally sensitive land in parts of the suburb

  • Utilities available:

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

Designing in Kurnell requires balancing lifestyle goals with environmental and compliance considerations.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Kurnell 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 in environmentally sensitive areas.

  • Necessary for projects that seek variations from standard setbacks or exceed CDC criteria.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Possible for compliant single dwellings and alterations.

  • Limited in coastal or environmentally restricted areas, where DA is more often required.

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 Kurnell

  • The suburb has a mix of older fibro homes, beachside cottages, and newly built contemporary residences.

  • Yes, coastal hazards, flood zones, and bushfire-prone areas often affect development.

  • Absolutely — we use materials and layouts that perform well in salty, windy conditions while maximising natural light and ventilation.

  • 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 Kurnell

We provide customised building design in Kurnell for single homes, duplexes, and renovations. Our designs are tailored for coastal living, ensuring both resilience and contemporary style.

From concept through approvals, we deliver homes that embrace the best of Kurnell’s lifestyle while meeting all council requirements.

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 Kurnell designs, featuring homes that capture views, maximise light, and fit seamlessly into the coastal landscape.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in Kurnell demands thoughtful design and planning — and we’re here to make it happen.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Kurnell?

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 Kurnell?

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.