Expert Building Design in South Turramurra

South Turramurra sits at the edge of Lane Cove National Park, offering a peaceful, family-friendly lifestyle surrounded by nature. With sloping blocks, dense tree canopies, and strong environmental overlays, designing here requires a smart balance between comfort, compliance, and conservation.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in South Turramurra. Whether you’re planning a new home, a thoughtful extension, or a self-contained secondary dwelling, we design to suit the land, lifestyle, and Ku-ring-gai Council planning controls.

We proudly serve South Turramurra with sensitive, site-specific building designs that work in harmony with local conditions.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in South Turramurra?

  • Bushland-Focused Design: Layouts that preserve natural beauty and enhance liveability

  • Tailored to Terrain: Raised and split-level options for sloping blocks

  • BAL-Compliant Solutions: Full bushfire assessment and practical planning

  • Approvals Simplified: Council submissions and documentation handled in-house

  • Flexible Living Spaces: Future-focused homes for families, retirees, or dual living

Our South Turramurra building designs bring together sustainability, compliance, and comfort—without compromise.

Ku-ring-gai Council Requirements for Building in South Turramurra

 

  • Zoning:

    • Mostly R2 Low Density Residential, with significant bushland buffers and environmental management zones

  • Setbacks:

    • Front: 6–9m based on streetscape

    • Sides: 900mm–1.5m depending on building height

    • Rear: Variable—impacted by slope and surrounding vegetation

  • Typical Lot Sizes:

    • 700–1,500 sqm, often irregular or sloped, with mature native trees

  • Key Constraints:

    • BAL-12.5 to BAL-40 for homes near Lane Cove National Park

    • Strict tree preservation and biodiversity overlays

    • Drainage design may be needed due to slope or stormwater channels

    • Driveway access and retaining wall solutions often required on steeper sites

  • Utilities:

    • South Turramurra is fully serviced with town water, sewer, power, and NBN

Building in South Turramurra requires careful consideration of zoning overlays, bushfire ratings, and environmental planning policies.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the Ku-ring-gai Council website.

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your South Turramurra Project?

With bushfire and environmental overlays common, a DA is often the best route forward. Most residential developments fall under either a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC).

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand the difference:

DA (Development Application):

  • Suitable for new homes, additions, or works on bushfire-prone land

  • We manage all reports, drawings, and submission steps from start to finish

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • May be suitable for minor works on flat, unconstrained lots

  • We assess your block and guide you through the fastest path if eligible

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 South Turramurra

  • Yes—most lots in South Turramurra require bushfire compliance. We handle the report and adapt your design.

  • Absolutely. We specialize in slope-responsive homes that avoid over-excavation and expensive engineering.

  • Only with council approval. We manage the arborist reporting and help minimize delays.

  • Nope! While we're familiar with Ku-ring-gai and its suburbs—like Turramurra, Wahroonga, and Pymble—we also work across the North Shore, Northern Beaches, and beyond. We’re open to select projects up to 4 hours from the Ku-ring-gai 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 custom home designs to council-ready plans, we’re here to guide your project every step of the way. Let’s bring your vision to life — reach out today.

Our Building Design Services in South Turramurra

We create tailored building designs for homes, extensions, secondary dwellings, and sloping site builds that suit both the land and your lifestyle.

From design to approval, our South Turramurra building design services keep your project on track and council-ready.

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

View past work where we’ve turned steep, tree-filled blocks into stunning, functional homes with complete council approval.

Portfolio

⇨

Home Designs

⇨

Our South Turramurra building design services bring confidence, compliance, and creativity to every project.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in South Turramurra?

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

starting fresh or upgrading a family estate.

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 South Turramurra?

DMR Designs proudly serves the entire Ku-ring-gai area—from Pymble and Turramurra to Roseville and Wahroonga. No matter the suburb, we bring the same precision and local insight to every design.