Source: Slobodna Dalmacija
On the occasion of the Day of the Dugi Rat Municipality, which is traditionally celebrated on this day, the feast of St. Joseph, we spoke with the local mayor Tonči Bauk. In recent years, numerous projects have been launched in the Dugi Rat area. This year’s budget, which is record-breaking in size, indicates that this “trend” will continue.
In 2025 and 2026 alone, more than 10 projects were started or realized in Dugi Rat. It is quite an undertaking for a municipality. A new kindergarten was built in Kril, a project was prepared for the development of the port in Dugi Rat, and the project for the construction of a new cemetery in Dugi Rat was started. A building permit has been issued for the market and fish market, and work is underway on the new chapel and mortuary at the Duće cemetery. Neither culture nor social has been neglected.
EU fonds
A major focus, the mayor tells us, is on withdrawing funds from EU funds and the County, but also on digitization, which the Municipality sees as a key factor in improving its relationship with the population.
– We are all aware that the Government has recently ensured greater material rights and increased standards through its tax policy, and it is up to us, at the local and regional level, to enable all generations to have access to as many facilities as possible. Green urban renewal, smart lighting, smart traffic solutions, communal infrastructure, as well as the prerequisites for affordable housing are just some of the tasks, now, but also in the future.
Today we live and work in a virtual world full of information and news. The task of the local government is to monitor, get involved in this direction and coordinate its activities. Digitization of local administration is a key factor in improving the relationship between the municipal administration and the population. For a number of years, we have been working on the mentioned projects in order to facilitate our daily work. We consider the transparency of business to be important in the relationship between residents and the municipality, and we want to continue working in this direction – the mayor told us.
Another priority task of the Municipality of Dugi Rat is cooperation with the Tourist Board because they know that tourism is a major generator of their income, as well as the driver of all activities. In this context, it is important to mention the adoption of a new GUP, which will ensure that the place develops, but with a better-designed spatial plan. Also, one of the goals of the Municipality is the actualization of their old villages in which lies the real, still partly undiscovered tourist potential.
Renovation of old village roads
– Tourism is a major revenue generator for the Municipality and also the driver of all activities, not only in terms of revenue, but also in terms of the development of the space in which we live. We want to manage and control the space because rapid urbanization can only bring us negative effects. In the previous and future period, through the destination management study, investments have been planned aimed at raising the standards and quality of tourism. By developing old village roads that connect our old villages and landmarks, we want to achieve added value in the tourist offer – said Bauk.
He believes that the synergy between expert human resources, a stimulating material environment and quality cooperation with parents is important for the good functioning of preschool and school institutions. Improving conditions in pre-school and school institutions, says Bauk, is one of the pressing problems.
– In a few months, work will begin on expanding our elementary school, for which the SDŽ is the responsible party, while the municipality is investing in preschool education, and will continue to invest in order to ensure a better standard of living for parents and children.
The social program is a sensitive topic for each of us, and we approach it with great caution when it comes to vulnerable population groups. We continue to invest in improving the conditions of children with special needs, helping disabled people of the 4th category and associations that care for the aforementioned categories. One of the main tasks is the construction of a Social Welfare Center where we would provide all the necessary conditions for our children in one place. We also help our pensioners, students and pupils through various subsidies – he adds.
What has been realized, and what is yet to be realized?
One of the most significant projects is the new kindergarten in Krilo, which has solved the long-standing problem of a lack of places for children of nursery and kindergarten age. This is a major improvement compared to the previous period, as in the 2021/2022 academic year, every fifth child remained unenrolled, which forced the Municipality to co-finance the children’s stay in neighboring municipalities.
The reconstruction and conversion of the former school building provided five new educational groups (three kindergartens and two nurseries), and in the 2025/2026 academic year, all registered children of employed parents were enrolled, a total of about a hundred children more than before. The project, worth just over 2 million euros, was co-financed by EU funds and a loan from HBOR, and in addition to solving capacity problems, new jobs were created.
In the municipal segment, the construction of a promenade and bicycle path in Duće, almost 2.9 kilometers long, connecting Dugi Rat with Omiš, is particularly noteworthy. The path is three meters wide and equipped with benches, baskets, smart lighting, children’s playgrounds and exercise areas, and is also adapted for people with disabilities. The project, worth 1.5 million euros, was co-financed with 85 percent of EU funds. The long-term goal is to connect the entire coast in the municipality, as well as beyond, from Omiš to Trogir, which is one of the priorities of the Split Urban Agglomeration. In this context, new sections of promenades on the routes Bajnice – Krilo and Krilo – Dugi Rat are already in preparation, for which project documentation is being prepared and permits are being obtained.
One of the capital projects is the Dugi Rat agglomeration, with a total value of more than 32 million euros. The project includes the construction of a drainage system, a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 8,000 inhabitants, and an underwater outlet. With its implementation, as many as 98 percent of the population would be connected to the sewage system, which represents a major step forward in environmental protection and quality of life. The project has been applied for co-financing from the EU Cohesion Fund, and a decision is expected during the year.
Former factory
Special attention is also being paid to the long-standing problem of the former factory premises in Dugi Rat. Preparations for the remediation documentation are underway, including geotechnical investigations, and the start of work is expected in 2027. In parallel, a new urban plan is being prepared, which envisages the development of a mixed zone with tourist, business and public facilities, including retail and business premises, parking lots, green spaces and housing. The plan is also to purchase the old administrative building, the renovation of which would provide space for a clinic, municipal services, a tourist board and an entrepreneurial incubator.
The municipality is also continuously investing in the renovation of existing facilities. In Jesenice, the “Treasury” building is being renovated, which will be used for social and cultural events, while in Krilo, the “Cafe” building is being renovated, which will also be used in part by local associations. The construction of a market and fish market with modern facilities, including a photovoltaic power plant and a charging station for electric bicycles, is also planned.
Maritime and social infrastructure
In the area of maritime infrastructure, the development of the port in Dugi Rat is planned, which would provide more than 100 berths for boats, while the construction permit for the port of Krilo has already been obtained and work is expected to begin. In Duće, the construction of a sports port with a capacity of around 50 vessels is also planned.
Significant projects are also being implemented in the social infrastructure segment. The construction of a chapel and morgue at the cemetery in Duće is underway, with a planned expansion of the cemetery, while a project for a new cemetery in Dugi Rat with more than a thousand burial places is being prepared in parallel. Work is also underway to renovate the church of St. Nicholas in Krilo.
The municipality is also investing in public facilities, so a new library has been opened in a modern space in the town center, spaces for associations have been arranged, including the “Zagrljaj” association, and the equipping of the fire station continues, including the construction of a multi-purpose hall.
In the sports segment, investments in the infrastructure of NK Orkan and handball clubs continue, including the arrangement of playgrounds, stands and supporting infrastructure, all with the aim of creating quality conditions for the development of sports and youth.
In addition to infrastructure projects, the Municipality allocates significant funds for social programs, including one-time assistance to citizens, benefits for newborns, support for pensioners, pupils and students, and co-financing of education and transportation. Cultural life is also actively supported through the work of associations and events such as the Dugoratski ljeto, which attracts numerous visitors every year.
Dugi Rat Municipality faces numerous challenges in the future, but also greater opportunities. Based on the results so far, but also the ambitious plans, one can sense that the development momentum will continue in the coming years. The development of Dugi Rat is not only based on projects, but is clearly directed towards the needs of its residents, and it is precisely this connection with the local community that gives them a good foundation for further progress.
