Expert Building Design in Mortlake

Mortlake is a riverside suburb on the Parramatta River, known for its waterfront living, heritage homes, and proximity to Cabarita Park. Blending historic charm with modern apartments, Mortlake attracts families, retirees, and professionals seeking a relaxed lifestyle with scenic outlooks.

DMR Designs delivers tailored building solutions in Mortlake, ensuring each project complements the suburb’s unique riverside character while meeting City of Canada Bay planning requirements.

We proudly provide innovative and practical building designs in Mortlake that reflect its balance of heritage and modern living.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Mortlake?

  • Waterfront Expertise: Designs suited for riverside and foreshore locations.

  • Character Sensitivity: Blending heritage elements with contemporary upgrades.

  • Compliance Mastery: Skilled navigation of Canada Bay’s zoning and controls.

  • Energy Efficiency: Sustainable solutions for modern homes and apartments.

  • Lifestyle-Focused: Designs tailored for family living and riverside enjoyment.

Our Mortlake projects combine timeless appeal with functionality, ensuring every design aligns with community character and council requirements.

Canada Bay Council Requirements for Building in Mortlake

 

  • Zoning types

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • R3 Medium Density Residential

  • Setbacks

    • Front setbacks generally 4m–6m

    • Side and rear setbacks vary by allotment and dwelling type

  • Typical lot sizes

    • Detached houses: 400m²–600m²

    • Townhouses and apartments: variable within strata sites

  • Key constraints

    • Foreshore building line and flooding controls apply to riverside properties

    • Heritage considerations for older streets and properties

    • Parking and access requirements for multi-dwelling sites

  • Utilities available

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

Building in Mortlake requires a design approach that balances heritage preservation with contemporary lifestyle needs.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Mortlake 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 larger-scale developments, foreshore projects, or works affecting heritage-listed properties.

  • Needed when variations from CDC standards are sought.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for alterations, extensions, or compliant new builds on standard lots.

  • Provides a faster path for projects that meet planning controls and don’t impact heritage or foreshore zones.

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 Mortlake

  • Yes, heritage-listed and conservation-area homes require a DA and must meet council heritage guidelines.

  • Yes, but foreshore building lines, flooding, and environmental controls will influence design and approval.

  • Mortlake features a mix of freestanding homes, heritage cottages, and modern apartment buildings close to the waterfront.

  • While we know the Canada Bay area well, we also work across many suburbs within the City of Canada Bay, including Concord, Five Dock, Rhodes, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the City of Canada Bay 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 contemporary waterfront designs to specialized compliance plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. We’d love to hear about your Canada Bay project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Mortlake

We provide complete building design services for Mortlake, covering heritage renovations, contemporary homes, and waterfront projects.
Our expertise ensures every design is compliant, functional, and perfectly suited to the suburb’s character.

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 Mortlake portfolio of homes designed with heritage sensitivity and modern practicality.

Portfolio

⇨

Home Designs

⇨

When designing in Mortlake, we deliver projects that reflect its unique riverside lifestyle.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Mortlake?

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

starting fresh or upgrading your Canada Bay 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 Mortlake?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire City of Canada Bay area. From Concord and Five Dock to Rhodes and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.