Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said requests would be subject to debate among councillors, who would meet in coming weeks to thrash out their priorities.

Upgrades to walkways and roads are expected to feature highly, with seven out of 13 councillors listing footpath and street maintenance among their top three priorities for funding.

Cr Michelle Blicavs has called for urgent improvements to the intersection at Blackman Parade and Nudjia Rd, Unanderra, to address safety concerns, while Cr Leigh Colacino wants to see more footpaths in the northern suburbs.

Cr Greg Petty has called for a new community centre to be built in Helensburgh and Cr Bradbery listed a new community facility at Warrawong among his priorities.

Cr George Takacs said he wanted a shared, water-proof walkway through Tramway and Wisemans parks at Gwynneville.

Cr John Dorahy called for expanded security in the CBD, to include the use of a speaker system with the existing CCTV.

‘‘A speaker system set up in the CBD would allow people monitoring the CCTV cameras to give a verbal direction or warning to anyone seen breaking the law or displaying antisocial behaviour,’’ Cr Dorahy said.

But Cr Bradbery has warned councillors, and the community, not to expect a ‘‘bottomless bucket’’ come budget time.

‘‘I’m conscious it’s going to be a tight budget, given the carbon tax kicking in next year and the cap on rate rises of 3.5 per cent,’’ he said.

‘‘There are many demands on the budget and I know there are expectations on us as new councillors, but we are constrained by what can be done within the council’s income.’’

Cr Bradbery said the council had to maintain $2.7billion worth of assets on an annual capital budget of $200million.

‘‘That’s a big ask for the council,’’ he said, adding the demand to build new infrastructure in West Dapto further drained the coffers.

‘‘The initial outlay for West Dapto is great, and we won’t reap any rewards until rates from the area start to come in,’’ he said.

‘‘We have to be realistic.’’