LATEST: Prime Minister John Key says the work he has seen on the blueprint that will shape the heart of Christchurch is "very exciting".

Key and Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee will officially unveil the blueprint on Monday evening.

Brownlee says the blueprint will contain heavy expenditure by the state that will in turn encourage the private sector to join in.

He told TVNZ's Q+A programme that Monday's announcement will be followed by further details in coming months.

"Things like the hospital, the advanced technology hub and what we're calling the justice precinct.

"They are very big public assets that are also places of considerable employment and so that is a pretty significant step in letting other investors know that actually there is going to be a dynamic here that works."

Brownlee said the Government has spent $5.5 billion on the Canterbury earthquake recovery so far and could be up for another $7 billion.

Blueprint set to kickstart rebuild

Christchurch polititians and business leaders are awaiting a government blueprint that will shape the heart of the earthquake- hit city.

The Christchurch Central Development Unit unveils its blueprint for the city centre tomorrow.

The unit was set up in April by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority to plan the location and design of key "anchor projects" in the city centre, including a new convention centre and sports stadium.

The plan is expected to kickstart the rebuild, as investors and developers plan around the location of new major facilities.

Christchurch mayor Bob Parker said the plan's release was "crucial" for the city.

"Without clear guidelines for the people who want to invest and build in the heart of our city, we will be floundering."

He was confident the blueprint would provide "a vision of hope" for investors and the city's residents.

Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce chief executive Peter Townsend said the unveiling of the plan was the biggest moment since the September 2010 quake. "This has the capacity to re-energise the city."

He said the plan needed to appeal to investors and developers, who were key to the rebuild's success. "This is about the people who drive investment, and it's important the blueprint is attractive to them."

He hoped it would encourage government departments and companies to return to the city centre. "Some people are going to take longer than others, but you need that commitment. If we can get 20 to 30 major companies back, it will get investment going."

Central City Business Association manager Paul Lonsdale said he was "quite excited" about the blueprint's release, and what it meant for the recovery.

"With local and central government leading the way, and with the key projects they're looking at getting off the ranks, it's going to stimulate growth."

He said the plan was unlikely to win favour with everyone, but was confident its overall vision would be a boon for the city. "There will be things that many people will love, but others won't. You're never going to please everyone, but as long as it's bold and brave."

- © Fairfax NZ News

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