Veli Drvenik locals dissatisfied with mass tourism and neglect of waste

The Civic Initiative for the Development of the Island of Drvenik Veli has launched an anonymous online survey for residents and fans of Drvenik Veli for a month. The aim of the survey was to contribute to the development of the Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Island of Drvenik Veli, the basic determinant of which would be the protection of the island and meeting the needs of residents and visitors.

The motive for launching the survey was to stop the unplanned development of the island, which resulted in negative consequences. The last few decades of life on Drvenik Veli have been marked by devastation, lack of vision and short-term actions, as well as the disintegration of the social community and the withdrawal of people.

Most of the investments in Drvenik are individual, short-term actions, which often serve to repair the destroyed one. Existing investments for the sustainable development of the island have not yet been fully realized. Therefore, it is necessary to devise an adequate strategy as soon as possible and to establish planned management and governance of the island.

The results of this survey should serve to give the local community of Drvenik Veli, the City of Trogir and the Split-Dalmatia County a realistic picture of the state of life of the local community and to take into account the needs of islands and islanders in their actions.

Summary of the survey analysis

Respondents rated the natural features of the island with the highest marks. On the other hand, they expressed considerable dissatisfaction mostly with the disposal of car wrecks and then illegal construction on the maritime domain, making decisions important for the island in a non-transparent manner, insufficient management of the island and vision of the island development, dirt and parking cars on the waterfront and lack of water and medical services.

One of the main desires of most respondents, among others, is to establish a ferry line with Split on Fridays and Sundays

Respondents in high percentages chose all the answers offered about what caused the most devastating consequences for the island in the last 30 years. However, most respondents chose the lack of water supply and sewerage system followed by negligence, inactivity and lack of love for the island.

The whole survey results (in the Croatian language) can be found here.

Source: Morski.hr