The Major Events Sponsorship and Attraction Program, known as MESAP, supports Major Events and screen productions that attract visitors, generate significant local economic activity and promote Karratha as a destination for tourism, events, business and liveability.
Financial and In-Kind Support may be available for signature events, festivals, business events, major cultural and sporting events, and screen productions that deliver measurable benefits for the City. MESAP is not a funding program for ordinary community events or regional sporting competitions.
Applications may be submitted throughout the year. Applicants should contact the City six to eight months before the proposed event or production. There is no fixed funding amount. Each request is considered based on its demonstrated economic impact and benefit to the City, available budget and Council approval.
Read the MESAP Funding Guideline before applying.
Enquire about MESAP
Telephone: 08 9186 8555
Email: enquiries@karratha.wa.gov.au
Will I be notified of the decision?
Yes. Applicants will be notified in writing after Council has determined the application.
Can I appeal the decision?
No. Council’s decision is final and not subject to appeal.
Can sponsorship be provided for more than one year?
Sponsorship may be approved for a single term or for up to three years, subject to annual evaluation, budget availability and Council approval.
Continued support is not guaranteed and will depend on performance and compliance with the Funding Agreement.
What happens if my application is successful?
You must enter into a written Funding Agreement with the City before commencing the approved activity or receiving financial or In-kind Support.
The agreement will specify the approved activities, support provided, payment arrangements, sponsorship benefits, reporting requirements and Acquittal obligations.
When will sponsorship be paid?
Payment arrangements will be specified in the Funding Agreement and may vary depending on the value, timing, risk and nature of the sponsorship.
A valid tax invoice and any required supporting evidence must be provided. Payment processing may take up to 30 days after all required documents are received.
Will successful Applicants be published?
Yes. The City may publish information about successful Applicants and approved sponsorship on its website in accordance with applicable requirements.
Can I change the approved event, budget or timeframe?
You must obtain the City’s written approval before changing the approved event or production, expenditure, location, deliverables, sponsorship benefits or delivery timeframe.
Approval of a variation or extension is not guaranteed.
What is an Acquittal?
An Acquittal is the final report showing that the approved activity was delivered, the City’s support was used correctly and the agreed outcomes and sponsorship benefits were achieved.
When is the Acquittal due?
The Acquittal and supporting documents must be submitted within 60 days of completing the approved event or production, unless another timeframe has been approved by the City and recorded in the Funding Agreement.
What information is required in the Acquittal?
The Acquittal may require:
- actual attendance and visitor numbers;
- visitor places of origin and length of stay;
- expenditure generated within the City;
- expenditure with local businesses and suppliers;
- evidence that City support was used for the approved purpose;
- evidence of sponsorship benefits;
- media and promotional outcomes;
- photographs or other evidence of delivery; and
- community, tourism and economic outcomes.
The reporting required will be proportionate to the value and nature of the sponsorship.
What happens to unspent funds?
Unspent funds must be returned to the City within 60 days of completing the approved activity unless a written variation has been approved.
What happens if I do not complete the Acquittal?
Failure to satisfactorily acquit sponsorship may result in:
- repayment of some or all sponsorship;
- withdrawal of unpaid support;
- the amount becoming a debt to the City;
- ineligibility for future City funding; or
- other action available under the Funding Agreement.
Where can I obtain further information?
Telephone the City on 08 9186 8555 or email enquiries@karratha.wa.gov.au.
Applicants should read the MESAP Funding Guideline before applying.
What is MESAP?
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.
What is the main purpose of MESAP?
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.
When can I apply?
Applications may be submitted throughout the year, subject to available funding.
How early should I contact the City?
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.
How much sponsorship is available?
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.
What types of support are available?
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.
What types of events may be supported?
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.
What is considered a Major Event?
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.
Are sporting events eligible?
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.
Can community events apply?
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.
Are film and television productions eligible?
Major television, film, streaming and other screen productions may be considered where they generate measurable economic, tourism or promotional benefits for Karratha.
Can an activity outside the City of Karratha be supported?
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.
Who can apply?
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.
Do I need to contact the City before applying?
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.
What information will I need to provide?
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.
What sponsorship benefits should I offer?
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.
What will not be sponsored?
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.
Can I apply after my event has commenced?
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.
Does MESAP approval include event or regulatory approvals?
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.
What insurance is required?
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.
How are applications assessed?
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%.
What does Strategic Alignment mean?
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.
How will Economic Impact be assessed?
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.
How will Community and Social Impact be assessed?
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.
How will Environmental Impact be assessed?
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.
How will Media and Promotional Impact be assessed?
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.
How will Risk Profile be assessed?
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.
Who makes the final decision?
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.
