Expert Building Design in Longreach

Longreach is a rural locality within the Shoalhaven region, offering open farmland, bushland pockets, and a peaceful country lifestyle. Properties here are typically large acreage lots, with homes ranging from traditional farmhouses to contemporary rural residences designed to embrace wide landscapes. Residents value privacy, space, and a strong connection to the natural environment, while still being within reach of nearby Nowra for services and amenities.

At DMR Designs, we specialise in building design in Longreach that complements the expansive rural setting. Our expertise includes designing homes that maximise natural light, incorporate off-grid solutions, and meet Shoalhaven Council planning requirements. Whether you’re creating a family homestead, a modern acreage home, or a rural retreat, our designs ensure functionality, style, and compliance.

Our Longreach designs focus on rural lifestyle, sustainability, and practicality, delivering homes that suit both land and lifestyle.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Longreach?

  • Spacious Acreage Homes: Layouts that suit large rural blocks, wide frontages, and multi-use outdoor spaces.

  • Sustainable Solutions: Incorporating solar, rainwater collection, and eco-friendly materials for long-term value.

  • Bushfire-Ready Designs: Homes designed with BAL compliance, fire-safe materials, and strategic siting.

  • Practical Rural Integration: Designs that allow for sheds, stables, and agricultural outbuildings.

  • Council Compliance Expertise: In-depth knowledge of Shoalhaven Council’s rural and environmental regulations.

Our Longreach designs achieve a balance of modern comfort, rural functionality, and planning compliance, ensuring each project enhances the local landscape.

Shoalhaven City Council Requirements for Building in Longreach

 

  • Zoning types:

    • RU1 Primary Production

    • RU2 Rural Landscape

  • Setbacks:

    • Larger setbacks apply to rural properties

    • Side and rear setbacks depend on lot size and intended use

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Rural residential: 2–5 hectares

    • Agricultural holdings: 10 hectares and above

  • Key constraints:

    • Bushfire overlays across bushland areas

    • Agricultural activity influencing land use

    • Environmental and biodiversity protections

  • Utilities available:

    • Many properties depend on rainwater tanks, solar systems, and septic waste treatment

    • Power and NBN wireless available in certain locations

Designing in Longreach requires homes that align with Shoalhaven Council controls, while maximising the lifestyle benefits of expansive rural living.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Longreach 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 most rural and agricultural properties, especially those with overlays.

  • Needed for eco-tourism ventures, large sheds, or multiple structures on the land.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Possible for standard dwellings on compliant smaller rural lots.

  • Less suitable for larger agricultural holdings or sites with constraints.

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 Longreach

  • Acreage-style residences, farmhouses, and rural retreats that suit large landholdings.

  • Yes, our designs can integrate homes with sheds, stables, and outbuildings while maintaining compliance.

  • Absolutely. We create sustainable, self-sufficient solutions with solar, rainwater, and on-site waste systems.

  • 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 Longreach

We offer building design in Longreach for rural homes, lifestyle blocks, and agricultural properties. Each project is tailored to enhance both functionality and the natural environment.

From design concepts to final approvals, we deliver solutions that combine compliance, sustainability, and timeless rural style.

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 Longreach projects reflect wide open living, with homes that embrace acreage landscapes and modern rural lifestyles.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in Longreach requires expertise in rural zoning, environmental planning, and functional design—all of which we bring to every project.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Longreach?

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 Longreach?

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.