Bureau of Meteorology Backtracks After Backlash Over New Website
The Bureau of Meteorology, better known as the BOM, has officially backtracked on one of its most controversial updates in recent memory. After a wave of complaints from frustrated users, the bureau has decided to restore its old rain radar colour scheme and weather map — a move that many Australians are calling long overdue.
Just last week, BOM unveiled its new $4.1 million website, promising a “modern and sleek” look as part of a much larger $866 million IT upgrade that’s been almost a decade in the making. But what was supposed to be a cutting-edge refresh quickly turned into a public relations storm. Users — from everyday Australians to farmers and weather enthusiasts — flooded social media and news outlets with complaints that the new design was confusing, harder to read, and lacked the clarity people had relied on for years.
Acting chief executive Peter Stone confirmed that the bureau had “listened to feedback” and decided to revert to the familiar radar colour scheme. The old version, which displays heavy rainfall and hail in deep reds and blacks, will once again be the default setting. Stone added that while the visual format is being rolled back, ongoing “improvements and updates” will still be made through planned releases.
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The controversy didn’t stop at public opinion — it reached Parliament too. Environment Minister Murray Watt told the bureau it needed to fix the website after Australians reported difficulties accessing crucial weather information during storms and heatwaves. He stressed that the BOM’s website isn’t just another government page; it’s a vital tool for public safety, especially during severe weather events.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli didn’t hold back either, calling the redesign “flawed” after severe storms left over 100,000 homes without power. He argued that easy access to local radar maps had been removed, and the new colour palette made it difficult to quickly interpret dangerous weather patterns.
Meanwhile, deeper scrutiny revealed that the BOM’s website overhaul was only a small part of a massive IT program called “Robust,” which ballooned in cost to around $866 million. Consulting firms like Accenture and Deloitte reportedly received tens of millions in contracts that exceeded initial budgets, prompting further questions about accountability and value for money.
Facing public outrage and political pressure, the BOM has now promised to communicate more clearly with users and make sure future updates are better tested before launch. While the bureau insists that modernization is necessary to strengthen security and data reliability, the message from Australians is clear — when it comes to the weather, simplicity and familiarity matter most.
So, after all the backlash, the old rain radar is back — and for many, that feels like a small but satisfying victory in the forecast.
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