The New Zealand Government has given a new planning unit 100 days to come up with a redevelopment blueprint for central Christchurch.

The Christchurch Central Development Unit will implement the plan to rebuild the city, identifying how consent processes can be streamlined and co-ordinating construction.

Insurance Council of New Zealand CEO Chris Ryan has welcomed the unit, saying it will add significant momentum to rebuilding the CBD, where about 30%, of the buildings – 600 – have had to be demolished.

Mr Ryan says private insurers have paid more than $NZ5 billion ($3.9 billion) of an expected $NZ20 billion ($15.7 billion) in claims.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the unit’s establishment marks the start of a new stage of the recovery.

“International experience suggests we have a three-year window of opportunity to get the rebuild and recovery framework under way, and to establish momentum and confidence,” he said.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) GM Operations Warwick Isaacs, will head the unit, which will be part of CERA. Mr Isaacs has managed the CBD cordon, building demolitions and the project to restart commerce.

CERA will also soon launch a database for geo-technical engineers to record information on sites around Canterbury. The authority then plans to build this into a 3D model of greater Christchurch.

The Department of Building and Housing is about to release a report on how to make housing more earthquake resistant.