Initially privately-held, the Costa Group became the largest service wholesaler of fruit and vegetables in Australia with operations in five states.
[1] His great-uncle established the Geelong Covent Garden in 1888 – a produce grocery which he ran until the 1920s, at which time he turned it over to Costa's father.
[10] His push for the recycling/irrigation plant is one of many events has caused some to raise conflict of interest concerns, as his company may have been in a position to obtain a substantial benefit from the project.
[citation needed] In 2006 it was revealed that Costa was part of a group of powerful business leaders who had made political campaign donations that were not disclosed by the candidates.
[15] In 2015, Costa was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the community of Geelong through ongoing roles and contributions to a range of sports, business, religious, medical, educational and social welfare organisations.
[18] According to a 2004 poll,[citation needed] Costa held first place on the list of the region's "Movers and Shakers".