Expert Building Design in Port Botany

Port Botany is a unique suburb within the Randwick Council area, primarily known for its industrial and shipping facilities. While much of the land is occupied by the container terminal and port operations, the surrounding areas still benefit from proximity to Botany Bay, coastal parks, and nearby residential suburbs such as Pagewood, Hillsdale, and Phillip Bay.

For homeowners and investors in the surrounding residential pockets, DMR Designs provides tailored building design services that meet the needs of the area while complying with strict council and environmental guidelines. Whether you’re planning a new home, duplex, or renovation, we help you achieve a design that works with Port Botany’s unique context.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Port Botany?

  • Zoning Expertise: Familiar with Randwick and Bayside Council planning controls near port areas.

  • Balanced Designs: We optimise layouts for privacy, comfort, and coastal breezes.

  • Future-Focused: Guidance on sustainable building to offset the industrial surroundings.

  • Investment Smart: Helping clients design duplexes and rebuilds with long-term growth in mind.

  • End-to-End Service: From concept to approval, we manage the full design process.

Our designs in Port Botany maximise both liveability and property value, making your project a smart investment.

Randwick Council Requirements for Building in Port Botany

 

  • Zoning types

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • R3 Medium Density Residential

  • Setbacks

    • Front setbacks typically 5–6m

    • Side/rear setbacks depend on block width and development type

  • Typical lot sizes

    • Generally 450m²–750m², suitable for duplexes and custom homes

  • Key constraints

    • Height limits to maintain local character

    • Overshadowing and privacy protections for neighbours

    • Street frontage requirements for dual occupancies

  • Utilities available

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

Building in Port Botany offers opportunities for redevelopment, family homes, and investment properties.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Port Botany 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 more complex projects or developments near industrial land.

  • Provides scope for unique or large-scale builds.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Useful for straightforward builds or extensions within residential-zoned pockets.

  • Streamlined approvals if your design complies with state codes.

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 Port Botany

  • Yes, the suburb is dominated by the port, but nearby residential areas provide opportunities for housing projects.

  • Yes, in the residential-zoned parts of Port Botany, duplexes are possible if lot size and frontage meet council requirements.

  • The main considerations are noise, traffic, and environmental impacts due to the port’s proximity.

  • While we know the Randwick area well, we also work across many suburbs within the Randwick City Council area, including Coogee, Kensington, Maroubra, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the Randwick 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-inspired homes to specialized compliance plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. We’d love to hear about your Randwick project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Pagewood

We deliver custom home designs, duplex developments, townhouses, and renovations in the residential parts of Port Botany.
Our team ensures every design is practical, compliant, and tailored to the unique character of the area.

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

At DMR Designs, we create smart, future-ready designs that add long-term value and suit the distinct setting of Port Botany.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Our goal is to make your building project simple, stress-free, and aligned with your lifestyle or investment needs.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Port Botany?

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

starting fresh or upgrading your Randwick 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 Port Botany?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire Randwick City Council area. From Coogee and Kensington to Maroubra and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.