Cr Staynes was commenting as councillors prepared to consider a revised Dunedin Destination Plan at next week's economic development committee meeting.
The draft plan came in for criticism at a hearing in September last year, when submitters voiced concern the document was missing key details about the city.
A revised version made public yesterday, before next Tuesday's committee meeting, included more mention of submitters' key concerns - from the value of education and tourism to the benefits of the city's creative sector, he said.
It appeared some had misunderstood the aim of releasing the draft document, which had been intended to provide a "framework" to be filled in through the submissions process, he said.
"Yes, to a degree there was a misunderstanding, and that's probably our fault. We didn't necessarily make it clear that what we were seeking, rather than a critique of what was there, was more information we could use to fit into that framework to actually put the whole plan together.
"That may well have been our mistake in not making it clear in the beginning, but we managed to sort that out."
The public input had resulted in "dozens" of changes, and the result was a "good plan" that would sit alongside the city's other key strategies, he believed.
"I think it reflects much more the desires of all sectors that are involved in Dunedin as a destination - not only the tourism sector but the education sector, all of the other bits that form our city's attraction."
However, not all submitters' concerns were addressed.
Some, such as the impact of any ban on non-self-contained freedom camping vehicles on the city's reputation, which was raised by Waikouaiti Coast Community Board chairman Alasdair Morrison, could not be considered, Cr Staynes said.
"We can't change that with this plan, because that's a decision of council. We have to live with that decision until that is changed."
Others deemed outside the plan's scope, such as a call to beautify north Dunedin, had been referred to the relevant DCC department, and a call for a better bus service was passed on to the Otago Regional Council.
Councillors would decide on Tuesday whether to approve the plan, subject to final approval at the next full council meeting on March 20.
