Bureau of Meteorology: BOM’s new website slammed by Queensland Premier after massive storms

Outrage has erupted over recent changes to the Bureau of Meteorology’s website, with politicians and everyday Australians slamming the design as confusing, inaccessible, and potentially dangerous amid severe weather events.

The revamped website went live last Wednesday and, according to BOM “features design and functionality improvements to most frequently used pages, including forecasts, observations and weather warnings”.

BOM says the redesign was developed in consultation with the community to ensure it delivers the benefits “people want and need”.

However, many users argue the opposite has occurred.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli blasted the redesign, labelling it “flawed”.

“Easy access to individual radars has been removed, the colour scheme we have become accustomed to has changed, and platitudes from Canberra won’t cut it,” Mr Crisafulli said.

What do Aussies think about the new design?

In South Australia, a popular community weather page described the new BOM website as a “sh*tshow”.

“Putting in my default location brings up readings for an AWS 66km away, Have tested with other locations with similar results. Searching for other information has become like a treasure search, very difficult!” a post shared on South Australia Weather read.

Comments on the page echoed the frustration.

“My husband and I were just saying exactly the same... bring back the old version,” one user wrote.

“A toddler could do a better job with crayons,” wrote another.

A third said said she received a “blocked” notification after punching in her location details.

While a fourth person voiced their frustration over the placement of the radars on the website.

“The new radar image is horrid when you finally find it”

What does BOM say?

BOM says the new website delivers a “secure and resilient” platform that will enhance the delivery of trusted services to Australians.

According to a press release issued by BOM, the website has “improved navigation and accessibility,” making it easier to find weather updates. Users can also save their favourite locations and map settings.

Bureau of Meteorology Acting CEO Dr Peter Stone said the redesign was “just the beginning of our journey to improve our online services”.

“We will continue to deliver website improvements in regular updates, based on community and customer feedback, just as we have done throughout the development phase.”

Politicians erupt at ‘dangerous’ new look

The website update coincided with disastrous storms that battered Queensland last week, leaving politicians furious over the timing of the update.

“Queenslanders always show their resilience in these events, but preparation is the key. That preparation depends on the information available to us, and the changes to the federally-run BOM website are not good enough,” Mr Crisafulli added.

Queensland Treasurer David Janetzi echoed the criticism, revealing in Parliament that he had written to Federal Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt to express his “significant concern about the changes made to the BOM website and the impact they have had on Queenslanders during recent severe weather storms”.

While BOM maintains that forecasts, observations and warnings were clearly presented on the new site, and that updates continued via its app and social media, Mr Janetzi highlighted “critical flaws” during the recent weather emergency.

“Caboolture, a growing area of the southeast corner, has disappeared as a locator on the BOM map while the...associated colour coding of the storms that Queenslanders rely on through thick and thin has significantly changed for the worse.”

He stressed that BOM is “wholly the responsibility of the Federal Government”.

“Clear and accessible information is an essential part of disaster responsiveness”, he said, noting that Sunday’s extreme storms had left many Queenslanders bewildered.

“Many felt surprised by the sudden rainfall and lightning amidst a lack of accessible information on the new BOM website.

“The decision to make the site live on 22 October – just as Queensland and Australia enter storm season – can, at its best, be described as short-sighted, while at its worst, it has put the lives and safety of Queenslanders at risk.”

This is just the latest controversy facing BOM.

In October 2022, the organisation attempted to rebrand to be called “the Bureau” or the “Bureau of Meteorology” instead of the acronym “BOM”.

The move, which cost over $220,000 was met with significant public backlash and mockery, particularly because it was announced during severe flooding events.

The rebrand was quickly reversed, with the organisation announcing the public can call it whatever they like.