BOM Website Cost Soars to $96 Million

The Bureau of Meteorology's much-criticized website redesign has a final cost of $96 million, far exceeding earlier reports. This figure accounts for a substantial $78 million contract with consultancy Accenture Australia, which was not included in the initial $4.1 million public statement. The redesign faced public backlash, particularly during recent severe weather events, due to its difficult navigation and altered radar map.

New bureau chief Dr. Stuart Minchin, in his first interview two weeks after assuming the role, committed to greater transparency. He acknowledged that the agency made mistakes under the previous leadership of Dr. Andrew Johnson. Dr. Minchin expressed his intention to openly address these errors and work towards improving the bureau's public image and services.

The revelation of the true cost raises questions about project management and public communication within the Bureau of Meteorology. As the agency moves forward, the focus will be on addressing user complaints and ensuring future projects are delivered more efficiently and transparently, particularly given the critical nature of meteorological data.