Expert Building Design in Tarrawanna
Tarrawanna is a family-friendly suburb located just north of Wollongong’s city centre. Nestled at the foothills of the Illawarra escarpment, it combines a peaceful residential feel with close proximity to shops, schools, and transport. The suburb is popular with growing families, offering a mix of established homes, modern rebuilds, and easy access to Corrimal and Wollongong amenities.
At DMR Designs, we bring tailored building design services to Tarrawanna, delivering homes that reflect the suburb’s balance of suburban convenience and leafy charm. Whether you’re planning a new build, renovation, or dual-occupancy project, we ensure your design meets both lifestyle needs and Wollongong City Council requirements.
Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Tarrawanna?
Family-Oriented Layouts: Homes designed to suit growing families.
Knockdown Rebuilds: Upgrade older housing stock with modern designs.
Custom Duplexes: Maximise land potential in accessible locations.
Practicality Meets Comfort: Designs focused on light, space, and functionality.
Council Expertise: Local knowledge for smoother approvals.
Our Tarrawanna building designs blend style, compliance, and functionality to create homes built for long-term living.
Wollongong Council Requirements for Building in Tarrawanna
Zoning types:
R2 Low Density Residential and some R3 Medium Density Residential
Setbacks:
Front setback of 6m common, side and rear depending on lot size
Typical lot sizes:
Between 550sqm–800sqm for standard residential lots
Key constraints:
Escarpment location may require slope-responsive design
Stormwater management considerations
Utilities available:
Full services including water, sewer, electricity, gas, and NBN
Tarrawanna offers strong potential for custom family homes and dual-occupancy designs, provided council rules on density and site management are followed.
For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the Wollongong Council website.
DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Tarrawanna 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):
Common for duplexes, larger extensions, and sloping block builds.
Required when designs fall outside CDC criteria.
CDC (Complying Development Certificate):
Possible for straightforward single homes or minor alterations.
Best suited to standard blocks with compliant dimensions.
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 Tarrawanna
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Mostly family homes, knockdown rebuilds, and occasional duplexes.
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Yes, on appropriately zoned and sized blocks (R3 zoning supports higher density).
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Yes, we create split-level or slope-responsive homes that suit escarpment land.
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While we know the Wollongong area well, we also work across many suburbs within the Wollongong City Council area, including Corrimal, Fairy Meadow, Figtree, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the Wollongong Council area.
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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 homes to specialized compliance plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. We’d love to hear about your Wollongong project and how we can assist.
Our Building Design Services in Tarrawanna
We provide customised building design in Tarrawanna for new homes, duplexes, townhouses, and extensions. Many of our designs focus on replacing older homes with modern layouts that enhance everyday living while complying with council standards.
From concept to approval, our team ensures your design is functional, compliant, and timeless.
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?
From Plans to Reality: See How It All Comes Together
Our Tarrawanna projects showcase how modern family living can be achieved while respecting the suburb’s natural and residential character.
Portfolio
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Home Designs
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With DMR Designs, your Tarrawanna building design will bring together comfort, practicality, and architectural quality.
Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Tarrawanna?
We’re here to help you take the next step, whether you’re
starting fresh or upgrading your Wollongong 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 Tarrawanna?
DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire Wollongong City Council area. From Corrimal and Fairy Meadow to Figtree and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.