04.10.2021.
The director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, Siniša Kukić held a working meeting in Hvar with Rikardo Novak, the mayor of Hvar. The topic of the discussion was the planned purchase of municipal equipment, and the challenges of waste management faced by the units of local self-government on the islands.“Life on an island is specific, and as much as it is interesting and lovely, it generates additional costs. The Fund has provided the resources to co-finance to the local units the transport of waste from the island to the mainland, considering that this cost is mostly seasonal and specific for islands,” said Kukić. “The Fund has approved almost 63 thousand kunas to Hvar for this purpose, and an additional 44 thousand for the purchase of municipal equipment in order to ensure the quality of the existing local waste management system,” added Kukić, adding he was pleased with cooperation thus far.
Mayor Novak agreed with him: “We are glad to have the opportunity to cooperate with the Fund and participate in these programmes. As you said, the distance from the mainland is pushing up our costs, and this help means our fellow islanders do not have to bear these costs themselves. On the other hand, we are investing significant efforts in streamlining our waste management system. In peak season additional capacities are required and considerably larger quantities of waste are generated, but with poor waste separation rate. That is why we are trying to adapt the equipment, and we are planning to further educate not only our citizens but tourists as well.” announced Novak.
At the meeting they also discussed the possibilities of financing offered by the Fund to the citizens, and the future programmes that will be adjusted with the national climate and energy policy, with special emphasis on the islands’ self-sufficiency.
Apart from the mayor of Hvar, the meeting was also held with the head of Municipality Jelsa, Nikša Peronja, where they also discussed the organisation of the waste management system and landfill remediation. Ružica Visković, the director of the utility company Jelkom d.o.o., and director Kukić signed the contract for co-financing and purchase of the compactor worth HRK 470 thousand. “The units of local self-government on islands have to put aside quite a hefty sum for organising, disposing, and transporting waste from the island to the mainland. This problem is especially pronounced in the tourist season. In all this we have the financial and professional aid from the Fund that is financing a large part of the projects related to these issues. The resources we received for the waste compactor will facilitate its purchase and help in further remediation of the landfill in Jelsa, “ said Peronja.
As part of the working visit, the representatives of the Fund also went to see the landfills being remediated.
