Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National

Premier 'delighted' with SA Tourism grant for Andrew 'Cosi' Costello's luxury lodges

Mr Costello is a long-time presenter of tourism show South Aussie with Cosi. (Facebook: Cosi Andrew Costello)

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has defended an SA Tourism Commission decision to award a generous grant to television personality and tourism show host Andrew "Cosi" Costello, saying he is "delighted" by the move.

The $416,000 handout will go towards the construction of two luxury lodges on Mr Costello's Adelaide Hills sheep farm at Woodside which, according to the commission's website, will also include "a helipad for additional access and touring options".

The commission said it was one of 114 projects to benefit so far from the $20 million Tourism Industry Development Fund (TIDF), launched in September 2020 to rejuvenate the sector amid the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Woodside Lodge project was assessed just the same as all of the other applications," a spokesperson said.

"The purpose of the TIDF is to stimulate private sector investment in new and improved regional accommodation, and the development of quality tourism products."

Mr Costello's television show, South Aussie with Cosi, screened on Channel Seven, seeks to showcase the state as a tourism destination.

Shadow Treasurer Stephen Mullighan questioned the decision to award the grant, saying "taxpayers simply can't have any confidence that that was the highest and best use for those funds".

He described it as a "slap in the face" to other tourism operators.

"I'm sure there are many people who have got tourism operations within a helicopter ride of Adelaide … that would have enjoyed the opportunity to put their case forward," he said.

Steven Marshall said the grant application had been assessed independently of government. (ABC News: Lincoln Rothall)

But the Premier said the grant was one of many to the sector, and that it had been assessed "independently of the government" by the SA Tourism Commission (SATC)  — a statutory authority.

"I haven't provided any money to anybody — it's been done independently through the SATC, it's a completely independent process," Mr Marshall said.

"This is one of 114 fantastic projects in the Tourism Industry Development Fund."

Treasurer Rob Lucas was also asked about the project on ABC Radio Adelaide this morning.

He said he was unaware of the grant, but added: "The mere fact that you have a name and you're a media identity doesn't automatically preclude you if you meet the other eligibility guidelines".

Mr Costello has been contacted for comment.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.