Major Events Sponsorship and Attraction Program

MESAP is the City’s Major Events Sponsorship and Attraction Program. It provides financial and In-kind Support for Major Events and screen productions that deliver significant economic, tourism, media, community or destination benefits for Karratha. 

The main purpose is to support Major Events and productions that attract visitors, generate expenditure within the City and strengthen Karratha’s profile as a tourism, events, business and liveability. 

Applications may be submitted throughout the year, subject to available funding. 

You should contact the City six to eight months before the proposed event or production. This allows time to prepare and assess the application, complete internal reviews, obtain Council approval and execute a Funding Agreement.

Incomplete or complex applications may take longer. 

There is no fixed funding amount. Each request is considered based on its demonstrated economic impact and benefit to the City, value for money, available budget and Council approval.

The City may approve full, partial or no sponsorship. 

MESAP may provide:

• financial assistance;
• In-kind Support, such as access to City facilities or equipment, marketing assistance, signage or other City resources; or
• a combination of financial and In-kind Support. 

MESAP may support:

• Major Events, festivals, shows and fairs;
• business events, conferences, seminars and industry meetings;
• signature sporting and cultural events;
• Major Screen Productions; and
• other Major Events that meet the program objectives and eligibility requirements.

The proposal must attract visitors or demonstrate significant economic benefit for the City. 

A Major Event attracts visitors or generates significant economic activity and provides substantial tourism, media, community or destination benefits for the City.

An event does not qualify merely because it is described as regional or attracts some participants from outside Karratha. 

MESAP is not a community sporting event grant. Community competitions, club activities, regular fixtures and ordinary regional sporting events are not eligible.

A signature sporting event may be considered where it attracts significant visitation, generates substantial local expenditure and provides measurable tourism, media or destination benefits. 

Ordinary community events are not generally suitable for MESAP. Applicants should contact the City to discuss whether another City funding program may be more appropriate. 

Major television, film, streaming and other screen productions may be considered where they generate measurable economic, tourism or promotional benefits for Karratha. 

An event or production outside the City’s local government area may only be considered where it delivers direct, measurable and significant economic, tourism, media and social value for Karratha. 

Applicants must:

• be a legal entity or organisation capable of entering into a Funding Agreement;
• hold an Australian Business Number where applicable;
• meet any applicable GST requirements;
• have the organisational and financial capacity to deliver the proposal;
• hold or obtain the required insurance, permits, licences and approvals;
• demonstrate significant benefits for the City;
• provide a realistic budget, delivery plan, marketing plan and risk information; and
• have no outstanding debts or overdue Acquittals with the City.

Yes. Applicants must contact the City before preparing a complete application.

The City will discuss the proposed activity, its potential eligibility, the information required and whether MESAP is the appropriate funding program. 

Your application will generally need to include:

• an event or production description;
• proposed dates and locations;
• information about your organisation and delivery experience;
• the amount and type of sponsorship requested;
• a detailed income and expenditure budget;
• visitor, attendance and length of stay estimates;
• expected expenditure within the City;
• a marketing and media plan;
• proposed sponsorship benefits for the City;
• a delivery plan and key milestones;
• risk management information; and
• details of insurance, permits, licences and approvals.

The level of detail required should be proportionate to the amount requested and the complexity and risk of the proposal. 

Benefits should be proportionate to the value of the City’s support and may include:

• recognition of the City as a sponsor;
• approved use of the City logo;
• signage and branding;
• speaking or presentation opportunities;
• event tickets or registrations;
• exhibition or activation opportunities;
• media and social media recognition;
• tourism and destination promotion;
• photographs or promotional content; and
• attendance, visitor and media reporting.

Proposed benefits will be negotiated and recorded in the Funding Agreement. 

MESAP will not support:

• activities that do not meet the objectives or scale of the program;
• community or regional sporting events;
• activities that have already commenced or been completed;
• activities that contravene City policies or local laws;
• activities that present an unacceptable health or safety risk;
• activities already funded through another City program during the current financial year;
• incomplete applications;
• applications that do not allow sufficient time for assessment and Council consideration;
• Applicants that have not met previous City funding obligations; or
• Applicants with outstanding debts or overdue Acquittals. 

No. MESAP does not provide retrospective sponsorship for an activity that has already commenced or been completed.

Applicants should not make commitments in anticipation of receiving sponsorship. 

No. Sponsorship approval is separate from event, planning, venue, environmental health and other regulatory approvals.

The Applicant is responsible for identifying and obtaining all required permits, licences and approvals. 

Recipients must maintain insurance appropriate to the nature and risk of the event or production.

Major Events will generally require public liability insurance of at least $10 million. The City may require higher coverage or additional insurance depending on the proposal. 

The City first reviews the application for eligibility, completeness and compliance.

Compliant applications are then assessed against the following criteria:

• Strategic Alignment, mandatory;
• Economic Impact, 30%;
• Community and Social Impact, 25%;
• Environmental Impact, 15%;
• Media and Promotion Impact, 15%; and
• Risk Profile, 15%. 

Strategic Alignment is mandatory. Applicants must explain how the proposed event or production supports the Council Plan, contributes to the City’s strategic priorities and strengthens Karratha’s profile as a place to visit, live and invest. 

Economic Impact accounts for 30% of the assessment and is central to the purpose of MESAP. Applicants must demonstrate how the proposal will attract visitors or generate significant economic benefit within the City.

The City will consider:

• expected visitor numbers and where visitors will travel from;
• the estimated length of stay and visitor expenditure;
• expenditure with local suppliers and businesses;
• the number of local jobs, contractors and suppliers involved;
• the broader economic benefit generated within the City; and
• how the proposed economic impact will be measured.
• Claims should be supported by credible evidence, previous event data, research or reasonable assumptions. 

Community and Social Impact represents 25% of the assessment score.

The City will consider:

• benefits for the local community;
• the quality and significance of the proposed event or production;
• community interest and demonstrated demand;
• opportunities for participation and engagement;
• alignment with existing local events and activities; and
• whether the proposal fills an identified gap. 

Environmental Impact represents 15% of the assessment score.

The City will consider the potential positive and negative environmental effects of the proposal, including:

• waste, energy and resource use;
• impacts on natural and built environments;
• noise, traffic and nearby residents;
• proposed operating times and locations; and
• measures to avoid or manage environmental impacts. 

Media and Promotional Impact represents 15% of the assessment score.

The City will consider:

• the proposed marketing and media activities;
• the geographic reach of the promotion;
• opportunities to promote Karratha as a visitor destination and place to live or invest;
• the visibility and value provided to the City;
• expected television, radio, print, digital and social media coverage; and
• how promotional outcomes will be measured.

For screen productions, applicants should explain how Karratha will be represented and the expected audience reach. 

Risk Profile represents 15% of the assessment score.

The City will consider:

• the Applicant’s experience and capacity;
• the project plan, budget and delivery timeframe;
• financial viability and confirmed funding;
• insurance, permits and approvals;
• health, safety, environmental and reputational risks;
• contingency planning; and
• the Applicant’s ability to deliver the proposed outcomes.

The level of information required will be proportionate to the value, complexity and risk of the sponsorship request. 

Following assessment and internal review, the application and recommendation are considered by the Executive Leadership Team before being presented to Council.

Council determines all MESAP applications.

How long does the decision process take?

Applicants should allow approximately six to eight months from the initial discussion to execution of the Funding Agreement.

Timing will depend on the completeness, value, complexity and risk of the proposal and relevant Council meeting dates. 

Yes. Applicants will be notified in writing after Council has determined the application. 

Applicants should provide reasonable and supported estimates of:

• local, regional, intrastate, interstate and international attendance;
• visitor numbers;
• visitor length of stay;
• accommodation nights;
• visitor expenditure within the City;
• expenditure with local businesses and suppliers;
• local employment and contracting opportunities; and
• other economic activity generated by the proposal.

You should explain how the estimates were calculated and provide supporting evidence where available. 

Applicants should allow approximately six to eight months from the initial discussion to execution of the Funding Agreement.

Timing will depend on the completeness, value, complexity and risk of the proposal and relevant Council meeting dates. 

Yes. Applicants will be notified in writing after Council has determined the application.