Expert Building Design in Port Hacking

Port Hacking is a prestigious riverside suburb in the Sutherland Shire, renowned for its waterfront properties, leafy streets, and peaceful lifestyle. With direct access to the Port Hacking River, residents enjoy boating, fishing, and relaxed family living in a highly sought-after location. The suburb features a mix of luxury homes, contemporary rebuilds, and established family residences, many with expansive views of the water.

At DMR Designs, we specialise in building design in Port Hacking that embraces the riverside lifestyle while ensuring compliance with Sutherland Shire Council planning controls. Our designs are tailored to take advantage of natural light, outdoor living, and water views, all while respecting the foreshore and environmental guidelines.

We deliver homes that are stylish, functional, and resilient — perfectly suited to the exclusive and scenic character of Port Hacking.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Port Hacking?

  • Waterfront Optimisation: Homes designed to capture views and breezes.

  • Luxury Finishes: Premium designs for Port Hacking’s prestigious lifestyle.

  • Foreshore Compliance: Expertise in foreshore building line and environmental rules.

  • Family-Friendly Layouts: Functional homes for comfort and flexibility.

  • Sustainable Design: Energy-efficient solutions for long-term living.

Our Port Hacking projects combine elegance and practicality to suit the suburb’s riverside character.

Sutherland Shire Council Requirements for Building in Miranda

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • E4 Environmental Living (foreshore and bushland areas)

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks typically 6–8m

    • Foreshore building lines strictly enforced

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Detached homes: 600–1,000 sqm

  • Key constraints:

    • Foreshore building line restrictions along the river

    • Height limits capped at 8.5m for dwellings

    • Bushfire and vegetation management near environmental zones

  • Utilities available:

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

Building in Port Hacking requires specialist knowledge of foreshore regulations and sloping blocks.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Port Hacking 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 waterfront homes, steep blocks, or any foreshore-affected property.

  • Common in Port Hacking due to environmental and zoning overlays.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Possible for compliant single dwellings away from the foreshore.

  • Limited application for most waterfront sites.

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 Hacking

  • Predominantly luxury residences, modern rebuilds, and family homes with river views.

  • Yes, strict foreshore building line rules apply, which limit how close you can build to the water.

  • Absolutely — we create tiered designs that maximise both usability and outlook.

  • 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 Port Hacking

We provide expert building design in Miranda for new homes, duplexes, and renovations. Our services are tailored to suit the suburb’s urban growth while delivering homes that remain functional and stylish.

From concept to approval, we create designs that enhance the appeal and liveability of Miranda.

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 Port Hacking portfolio, showcasing waterfront homes that balance elegance, comfort, and compliance.

Portfolio

⇨

Home Designs

⇨

Building in Port Hacking requires careful planning, and we provide the expertise to make it seamless.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Port Hacking?

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 Port Hacking?

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.