WBA finds official sponsor in City

At the March 31 council meeting, elected members approved a three-year funding model between the City and WBA which will provide the latter with $30,000 a year.

A report on the council agenda said the plan fitted in with WBA's strategic business plan for 2013-14 to 2016-17 to become financially sustainable.

"The WBA board is keen to develop a strategic partnership with the City rather than an operationally dependent relationship," it said.

Under previous arrangements, the City provided about $10,000 in sponsorship and event attendance in 2013-14, with another $15,000 in operational funding. The agreement will see that operational funding decrease over three years until the full $30,000 is sponsorship and event attendance.