Expert Building Design in Shoalhaven Heads

Shoalhaven Heads is a vibrant coastal community located at the mouth of the Shoalhaven River, where the river meets Seven Mile Beach. Known for its relaxed seaside lifestyle, it offers a mix of holiday homes, modern residences, and older beach cottages. Popular with families, retirees, and holidaymakers, the suburb combines natural beauty, surf beaches, and local amenities, making it one of the Shoalhaven’s most desirable coastal destinations.

At DMR Designs, we provide customised building solutions in Shoalhaven Heads that take advantage of the coastal setting. Our designs capture ocean breezes, maximise natural light, and comply with Shoalhaven Council planning rules. From modern beach houses to family-friendly homes, we ensure each project complements the local character.

We create building designs in Shoalhaven Heads that combine lifestyle, comfort, and compliance. Every design enhances the coastal village atmosphere while meeting the needs of those who value relaxed living by the water.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Shoalhaven Heads?

  • Coastal Integration: Homes designed to maximise airflow, natural light, and beachside living.

  • Family-Oriented Layouts: Spacious, practical designs perfect for families drawn to coastal living.

  • Suburban Harmony: Projects that respect the established mix of cottages, modern builds, and holiday homes.

  • Sustainable Practices: Energy-efficient solutions tailored for coastal climates.

  • Compliance Expertise: In-depth knowledge of Shoalhaven Council’s coastal planning regulations.

Our Shoalhaven Heads designs deliver the perfect blend of style, sustainability, and compliance.

Shoalhaven City Council Requirements for Building in Shoalhaven Heads

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • R3 Medium Density Residential (pockets near the town centre)

    • RE1 Public Recreation (coastal areas)

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks typically 4.5m–6m

    • Side and rear setbacks vary with lot type and dwelling form

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Detached homes: 500m² – 800m²

    • Duplex/townhouse sites: 350m² – 500m² per dwelling

  • Key constraints:

    • Coastal hazard and flood overlays near the river and beach

    • Height limits to maintain village character and protect views

    • Bushfire-prone land on the edges near natural reserves

  • Utilities available:

    • Fully serviced with water, sewer, electricity, NBN, and gas in many areas

Building in Shoalhaven Heads requires designs that respect its coastal character while complying with Shoalhaven Council requirements.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Shoalhaven Heads 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 projects, townhouses, or developments in flood or coastal hazard areas.

  • Needed where variations from standard CDC rules are sought.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for single dwellings, duplexes, and straightforward extensions that comply with all planning controls.

  • Provides faster approvals when no variations are needed.

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 Shoalhaven Heads

  • The suburb features a mix of beach cottages, brick homes from the 70s and 80s, and new modern coastal residences.

  • Yes, flood and coastal hazard planning applies to low-lying blocks, while bushfire rules affect land near natural reserves.

  • Absolutely, we specialise in orientation-based designs that maximise water views and natural breezes while ensuring compliance with local controls.

  • 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 Shoalhaven Heads

We provide building design in Shoalhaven Heads for beach houses, duplexes, and modern family homes. Many projects involve knockdown-rebuilds of older cottages, creating new homes that capture coastal views and reflect a contemporary lifestyle.

From early planning to final approvals, our designs in Shoalhaven Heads combine compliance, functionality, and a timeless coastal 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 Shoalhaven Heads portfolio, showcasing projects that embrace the relaxed beach lifestyle. Each design demonstrates how thoughtful planning can transform older sites into modern homes that celebrate the suburb’s coastal setting.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in Shoalhaven Heads requires local insight, coastal expertise, and compliance knowledge—qualities DMR Designs delivers in every project.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Shoalhaven Heads?

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 Shoalhaven Heads?

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.