Cr Richard Walls told the Otago Daily Times changes allowing more than one option for a controversial project to be put out for public consultation would make "a huge difference" to public opinion.
Under existing law, the council was required to identify a preferred option from many to put forward for consultation, and then decide how to proceed based on feedback.
Under changes proposed by Local Government Minister Rodney Hide, councils would be able to present multiple options for the same project and gain public feedback on them all, before making a final decision.
The change was included in the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill put forward by Mr Hide.
The Bill also suggested new pre-election financial reports aimed at improving local authority transparency and accountability.
While many councils had concerns about the pre-election reports, Cr Walls said allowing more options during consultation was something "everyone" supported.
"I give the minister full marks. He's listened to what councils have been saying."
Council chief executive Jim Harland agreed with Cr Walls' sentiments.
Mr Harland said the change - if adopted - would save time and money, plus it would help win over more of the public who might otherwise have felt a council's path was set in stone.
"We think that would probably give a better result on more complicated problems."
In the past, changes as part of the consultation process had added a year to the development of the council's $9.3 million northern water scheme, he said.
Under the new system, councillors would be able to change direction, from one option to another, without starting the consultation process again.
He agreed with Cr Walls, who estimated the requirement to consult on significant decisions through a special consultative procedure - introduced in 1989 - had cost the council $5 million in staff time.
Mr Hide detailed his plans for the amendment Bill during a trip to Dunedin in April, saying he hoped to have the new system in place by 2013.
Local Government New Zealand is expected to make a submission to select committee hearings on the Bill next week, noting concerns with some of the proposed changes - including the pre-election reports - but supporting others.
Mr Harland said he expected the Bill could become law as early as "later this year".
