Over the next two weeks, he plans to individually visit the mayors of Waitaki, Waimate, Mackenzie and Timaru to improve relations between Environment Canterbury (ECan) and their districts.
That tension had boiled over into open criticism over the past two years.
Cr Neil, who has strong links with Otago, North Otago and South Canterbury, was elected chairman of ECan after the Christchurch-based regional council yesterday dumped Sir Kerry Burke.
However, whether Cr Neil's links will be enough to heal the rifts between Environment Canterbury (ECan) and its southern district councils remains to be seen.
Mr Neill certainly sees a positive relationship developing because of his connections over a long period which, he believes, "opens the door to improving relationships" with North Otago and South Canterbury district councils and communities.
In fact, he told the Otago Daily Times yesterday after his election, he intended to start that immediately by visiting southern mayors with the aim of establishing good relations to move forward in a more co-operative way.
He would indicate to them that ECan was entering a new era and wanted to work with them "in a co-operative and comfortable manner".
Apart from problems in the South, all 10 mayors in ECan's region, including Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton, recently wrote to Minister of Local Government Rodney Hyde criticising ECan's performance.
Mr Hide has ordered officials to investigate whether a review of ECan is needed.
Mr Familton yesterday said Cr Neill's election might mean "intervention by other means" was averted.
Mr Familton did not want to specifically comment on Sir Kerry being removed and Cr Neill's election.
However, asked whether that would ease the relationship between southern district councils and ECan, Cr Familton said that, if matters needed attention, Cr Neill was "a person to give fresh direction to the system".
"Alec Neill is regarded as a very capable and adept person down this way," he said.
Cr Neill said those "rumblings in Wellington" needed to be addressed and was satisfied ECan could address the issues raised by the mayors and avoid government intervention.
Urging the council to move forward as a team, he regarded his appointment as "a caretaker position for 13 months".
Yesterday, the council voted by eight councillors to six to remove Sir Kerry, who had been chairman for five years.
Those voting to remove him were Crs Neill, Angus McKay, Bronwen Murray, Carole Evans, Jo Kane, Mark Oldfield, Pat Harrow and Ross Little.
Those wanting to retain Sir Kerry were himself and Crs David Sutherland, Eugenie Sage, Jane Demeter, Bob Kirk and Rik Tindall.
The council then voted for a new chairman, Sir Kerry and Cr Neill both standing.
Cr Neill was elected with the same pattern of voting by councillors.
The council re-elected Cr Kane unopposed as deputy chairman, a position left vacant after she had resigned last month when it became obvious Sir Kerry's future was on the line and she had supported the move to remove him.
Sir Kerry is regarded as one of Canterbury's most experienced politicians, but had become increasingly under siege in his role as ECan chairman.
He was elected to ECan in 1998.
ECan's new chairman
> Alexander George (Alec) Neill.
> Born Dunedin, July 22, 1950.
> Educated Hoopers Inlet Primary School (Otago Peninsula), St Kevins College, Oamaru, and Otago University.
> Solicitor in Dunedin, partner in an Oamaru law firm for 15 years.
> Shifted to Christchurch in 1997, practised law as Neill and Co, now consultant solicitor.
> Political career: Elected Waitaki MP in 1990 and 1993, National Party list MP 1999 and 2001-02.
> Elected to Environment Canterbury for Christchurch West 2003 in a by-election, re-elected 2004 and 2007.
> Stood for Environment Canterbury chairmanship in 2004 and 2007, defeated both times by Sir Kerry Burke.
> Elected Environment Canterbury chairman September 24, 2009.
> Married to Diane, sharing five children and four grandchildren.
> Interests: Golf, tennis, bowls and "an outspoken armchair rugby critic without an audience".