Expert Building Design in Riverwood

Riverwood is a diverse suburb within Canterbury-Bankstown, offering a mix of traditional cottages, post-war homes, duplexes, and modern townhouse developments. The area is well-connected by train and major roads, making it attractive to families, professionals, and investors. With a balance of green spaces, local schools, and a thriving multicultural community, Riverwood provides both convenience and lifestyle appeal.

At DMR Designs, we specialise in building design in Riverwood that reflects the suburb’s evolving character while meeting Canterbury-Bankstown Council requirements. Our expertise ensures every project—whether a new build, duplex, or townhouse—blends seamlessly with the local streetscape and urban planning vision.

We proudly deliver Riverwood building designs that combine practicality, modern style, and compliance, creating spaces that suit family living and long-term investment.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Riverwood?

  • Family-Oriented Layouts: Designed for comfort, storage, and flexibility.

  • Urban Efficiency: Smart solutions for compact and subdivided lots.

  • Sustainable Practices: Incorporating eco-friendly and energy-saving features.

  • Compliance Expertise: Clear navigation of Canterbury-Bankstown Council regulations.

  • Adaptable Spaces: Homes designed for multi-generational or rental potential.

Our Riverwood designs deliver a harmonious balance of style, practicality, and compliance tailored to this suburb.

Canterbury-Bankstown Council Requirements for Building in Riverwood

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • R3 Medium Density Residential

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks typically 5–6 metres

    • Side and rear setbacks vary depending on dwelling type

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Detached homes: 400–600 m²

    • Duplex/townhouse sites: 300–450 m²

  • Key constraints:

    • Lot subdivision rules for duplexes and townhouses

    • Building height limits to maintain suburban scale

    • Flood-prone land controls near Salt Pan Creek

  • Utilities available:

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

Building in Riverwood requires designs that maximise land use while aligning with Canterbury-Bankstown Council standards.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the Canterbury-Bankstown Council website.

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Riverwood 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 multi-dwelling housing and projects with variations to planning standards.

  • Necessary for flood-affected or environmentally sensitive lots.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for compliant single dwellings or duplexes on standard blocks.

  • Provides a faster approval process when all criteria are met.

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 Riverwood

  • Post-war cottages, updated family homes, duplexes, and modern townhouses.

  • Yes, flood management near creek areas, restrictions on building height, and subdivision controls.

  • Yes, we specialise in duplex layouts that optimise land value and rental yield.

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

Our Building Design Services in Riverwood

We provide customised building design in Riverwood for homes, duplexes, and townhouse developments. This includes efficient designs for compact lots, multi-dwelling projects, and family homes that balance lifestyle and compliance.

From concept to council approval, we deliver designs that combine compliance, quality, and timeless 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

Explore our Riverwood portfolio, featuring duplexes, townhouses, and family homes designed to suit the suburb’s dynamic growth and diverse community.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in Riverwood requires expert planning and design—exactly what we provide.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Riverwood?

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

starting fresh or upgrading your Canterbury-bankstown 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 Riverwood?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire Canterbury-Bankstown Council area. From Bankstown and Campsie to Belmore and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.