The proposed use of external consultants to help the Otago Regional Council find a new site for its headquarters has been questioned by Cr Michael Deaker.
Councillors this week considered an eight-step plan outlining the process the ORC could take, from determining the council's needs through to proceeding with a project.
Chief executive Graeme Martin suggested, in a report, that it was "highly appropriate" consultants were used to assist or undertake each step.
Cr Deaker said he questioned whether it was "highly appropriate", particularly for steps one to three, which should be undertaken by the council led by its chief executive.
"A lot of valuable work has already been done," he said.
The particular dynamics of the organisation were best known by those who worked there, and by the council itself, he said.
"We need to determine ourselves what we need for the next 20 years-plus for this organisation."
Cr Doug Brown said the "devil was in the detail" and "philosophically" there were differing views on the way to proceed in planning the building.
The council needed to be very careful in appointing consultants, as past advice had been "woefully inadequate".
Cr Sam Neill said the council needed to be careful it did not lay the blame for the building situation "outside the council".
"We can't hide behind bad advice. We have to take full responsibility."
• Councillors carried the recommendations, but the report's recommendation regarding consultants was to be amended to indicate their services would be used "as appropriate".
Councillors have agreed to arrangements for the payment of the Otago Regional Council's contribution to the Forsyth Barr Stadium.
At this week's full council meeting, they accepted recommendations that the payments be made to the Carisbrook Stadium Charitable Trust, assuring the council secured the least tax risk and maximum value for rate funds.
