Bureau of Meteorology Ignored Months of Warnings Before Launching Problem-Plagued $96.5 Million Website
New internal documents obtained by 7NEWS have revealed that the Bureau of Meteorology ignored months of warnings about its new problem-plagued $96.5 million website before it went live to the public. The bureau's acting CEO Peter Stone has since offered his sincere apologies for the challenges caused by the website change in October.
Modern Design Meets Public Backlash
The bureau's new modern and sleek website launched on October 22, with the aim of improving the design and functionality of its most-used pages, including forecasts, observations, and weather warnings. However, it quickly came under fire after savage storms tore across the eastern seaboard, with a new radar colour scheme failing to highlight hail effectively.
Other tools commonly used by the public were noticeably changed in the website upgrade. This included a system which previously allowed viewers to move between the past and future to see the location and passage of rain and thunderstorms. The new radar only allows users to toggle back in time and to the present, leaving them unable to see the path of storms into the near future.
User Complaints and Confusion During Storm Season
Users complained that the new bureau website and radar were confusing, leaving them ill-prepared for severe weather events. One person stated, I don't like it. I like the old-fashioned one, while another added, Only a government department could spend $96 million and get it that wrong.
The eye-watering price tag drew heavy criticism after the agency had previously stated the redesign cost just $4.1 million. A closure report, seen by 7NEWS, described the project as one of the largest digital reform undertakings across the public service in response to a cyber intrusion. It said schedules and costs were affected by technology, complexity, and COVID-19.
Pre-Launch Testing Revealed Significant Issues
Months before launch, a customer satisfaction review of the test site found that 92.5 per cent of search-related feedback was negative. Users reported search tools were clumsy, with one example showing that searching for Mount Druitt in Sydney's western suburbs did not list it at the top of the instant results.
A user commented, It looks as though searching for detailed information, such as river levels, will be clumsier than before. When the website went live, these same issues were echoed in community criticism, with visitors labelling the new BOM website confusing and leaving them frustrated during storm season.
Critical Public Safety Tool Under Scrutiny
The Bureau of Meteorology is a federal government-run agency, with the CEO reporting directly to the environment minister. The bureau's website is Australia's most visited government site, with millions visiting each day for their weather forecasts. It serves as a critical tool for public safety, particularly during the high-risk weather season.
Nearly half a million Australians submitted feedback after the new site went live. An internal review compared the new site against best-practice platforms including Apple, Big W, and Australia Post. The bureau scored four out of ten, leaving significant room for improvement.
