JUSTICE PRECINCT: The precinct will be built on a site between Colombo, Tuam, Durham and Lichfield streets, and is expected to be fully operational by mid-2017

Prime Minister John Key has confirmed the Justice and Emergency Precinct will cost in the region of $300 million.

The five-storey building, with a total floor area of 40,000 square metres, will be the first major public building to be built in Christchurch since the earthquakes in 2010 and 2011.

The site, bound by Colombo, Tuam, Durham and Lichfield streets, was chosen for its direct access to the city's main arterial roads and proximity to Christchurch Hospital.

Supplied CENTRAL: The new development will bring 2000 people into the city centre.

"By housing all the justice sector agencies and the city's civil defence and emergency management functions in one location it also shows how public sector agencies can work more closely together,'' Key said.

"We considered other options including having agencies at separate sites across the city, or at a complex with a single focus on criminal justice.

"Any of these options would have come at a lower price, but we have opted for the one we think will best deliver services for the people of Canterbury, and that will encourage new and better ways of working between all of the agencies,'' he said.

Earthworks are expected to begin by February and construction of the main building is planned to begin in June.

At the height of construction, 400 people will be employed on the site. The precinct is expected be completed and open to the public by mid-2017.

When fully operational it will have around 1100 people working full-time from the precinct and around 900 visitors every day.

"That's around 2000 people every day who will use transport services and shop and dine in the inner city, which will help attract retailers and other service providers," Key said.