URGENT UPDATE: The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is facing intense criticism after new chief, Dr. Stuart Minchin, revealed that the rollout of its disastrous weather app cost taxpayers a staggering $96 million. This shocking admission comes as Australians grapple with the app’s confusing interface, which has been widely condemned since its launch on October 22, 2025.
The costly redesign has sparked outrage, particularly in light of Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina wreaking havoc on Darwin this past weekend. Users have reported significant difficulties navigating the new platform, which was intended to enhance accessibility and usability for millions relying on accurate weather information.
Dr. Minchin disclosed to the Sydney Morning Herald that the redesign’s total cost far exceeded the initial estimate of $4.1 million. The hefty bill includes a $78 million contract with Accenture Australia for private consultation, which was not disclosed previously. “I’ve looked into it. The total cost, when you add the Accenture work, the security testing and everything else, it’s about $96 million,” he stated.
Nationals leader David Littleproud has slammed the spending, demanding transparency from the federal government. “It is unbelievable that a private consultancy was paid $78 million for this redesign, and yet the total cost ballooned to $96 million,” Littleproud asserted. “This isn’t just about a clunky website; these changes actually put lives and safety at risk.”
Frustration among users has soared as the revamped website fails to display local forecasts effectively, only showing weather data from the past 40 minutes. Many users have expressed their discontent on social media, highlighting that essential features like the rain radar are now challenging to find. The situation escalated when the radar crashed during severe thunderstorms in southeast Queensland shortly after the site’s launch.
In response to the backlash, a BoM spokesperson confirmed the total cost and explained that the redesign was part of a broader initiative to ensure the website meets modern security and accessibility standards. “A complete rebuild was necessary to ensure the website meets modern security, usability, and accessibility requirements for the millions of Australians who rely on it each day,” they stated.
Dr. Minchin has pledged to improve transparency and communication with taxpayers moving forward. “I’m really coming in trying to be open and transparent about how we approach things,” he said. “When you’re criticized and bashed regularly, it’s easy to get defensive, but I don’t think that’s helpful.”
The BoM has acknowledged community feedback and is committed to making ongoing improvements to the site. They recently adjusted the radar map to show rain reflectivity as the default setting, responding directly to user concerns. “We changed the radar map to show rain reflectivity…as the standard setting,” the spokesperson noted.
As the situation develops, Australians are left questioning the management and decision-making processes that led to this costly and controversial redesign. The BoM’s next steps will be crucial in regaining public trust and ensuring the safety of those who rely on accurate weather information.
Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story as the Bureau continues to address user concerns and work on improvements.
