It is estimated that $6b to $9b will come from local and central government, with the private sector providing the rest of the rebuild cash, of between $14b to $21b.
Developed by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) and Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), the Economic Recovery Programme has been welcomed by Canterbury business people and stakeholders as a key step towards recovery.
Cera's general manager economic recovery, Steve Wakefield, who was behind the plan, said he hoped it would help Canterbury retain existing business, attract new investment, generate wealth, increase exports and enable the return of greater levels of prosperity and growth to the embattled region.
He said Cera had a "broad set of goals" when setting about the plan, which has resulted in "a broad programme" aimed at achieving "long term prosperity, not just short term recovery".
"We need to make sure that we spend this $30b as wisely and as effectively as possible," said Mr Wakefield, named this week's the country's top chartered accountant.
"If we do that we'll get a big economic lift, we'll improve our long-term prosperity, and I believe we'll have the most modern, most attractive, most vibrant city in the world."
Some of the 20 projects are already in progress, Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said at the announcement in front of invited business people at Addington Raceway today.
The plans were developed collaboratively by Cera and MBIE in partnership with local government and the business sector.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Canterbury to create a new, better and enduring business environment," Mr Brownlee said.
Mr Brownlee says the 20 projects have varying timeframes through to 2016, by which time some will be completed and others will transition to partners such as regional economic development agencies.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says business disruption following the quakes was significant, but the sector also showed a resilience which provides great confidence in Canterbury becoming a more productive economic engine for the country.
"The Canterbury business community is in good heart and is ready to harness the opportunity presented by the rebuild.
"Every week we're seeing examples of innovation, focus and commitment to making the Canterbury economy strong," Mr Joyce said.
Cera has set up the monthly Canterbury Economic Recovery Dashboard to allow the public to follow the rebuild's progress and can be found at cera.govt.nz.
OVERVIEW OF THE 20 KEY ECONOMIC RECOVERY PROJECTS
1. Leadership and planning
2. Implementation and monitoring
3. Labour market
4. Social environment
5. Tertiary education
6. Capital attraction
7. Business collaboration
8. Insurance availability
9. Ultrafast broadband uptake
10. Innovation precincts and clusters
11. Better public services for business
12. Central city recovery
13. Suburbs and towns
14. Rebuild infrastructure
15. Tourism
16. International education
17. Construction and productivity
18. Rural sector production
19. Local government business friendly services
20. Health precinct development
