SIMPLY STUNNING: The view from O’Sullivans Lookout is breathtaking and shows the Kiewa Valley in all its glory, with the undulating mountains capturing the last rays of sun as another day draws to an end.

IT is disappointing the president, Ray McDonald, of the Northern Suburbs Street Rod Club feels that business operators of Bright and surrounding areas are not supportive of the event.

While some accommodation operators may charge a three-night minimum stay or more, the majority endeavor to support the event where possible.

The expectation that traders must give more back to the event is delusional, as business operators are not the main reason for costs being so high.

In part this can be squarely laid at the feet of our local, state and federal governments and the high cost of doing business in the Alpine Shire under existing council policy.

When local traders are continually being charged six to eight per cent per year on land rates along with additional special industrial levies, 18 per cent increases in electricity costs, 50 per cent increases in water charges, 75 per cent increases in fire service levies and 100 per cent and even more increases in general insurance premiums.

Costs are not about to come down - but increase even further.

These costs are before the introduction of Julia Gillard’s carbon tax, due to start in July 2012, and will continue to increase costs on the bottom line, further burdening and hampering business efforts to support the event now and into the future.

There is no point attacking business traders who must increase their charges to ensure their business is viable.

Instead, insist on the Alpine Shire doing its part, by minimising property rate increases, taxes and charges, reducing debt, axing wasted programs, minimising capital expenditure and if need be, reducing staffing levels.

The Alpine Shire is a business like every other, except if it fails to rein in expenditure, it simply extorts its income from its ratepayers.

It is too easy for the Alpine Shire to increase charges to ratepayers and have business operators being blamed for being too expensive and non-supportive.

It is important to remind the Alpine Shire it is spending ratepayers’ money beyond our means, because failure to do so, will not only place the hot rod weekend in jeopardy but also other major events as well.

Michael Cole, Harrietville