‘Why on earth did they change it?’: New Bureau of Meteorology website slammed
The redesign of one of Australia’s most popular sites has sparked outrage, with users describing it as a “sh*tshow”, “useless”, “unnecessary”.
The Bureau of Meteorology has been met with outrage over its new website, with users describing the revamp as “atrocious”, “useless”, “disappointing” and “unnecessary”.
Unveiled on Wednesday, the Bureau said it hoped, with the redesign, to create “a clearer, more accessible and secure website experience” that would better support the estimated eight million Australians who use it “when it matters most”. The site’s daily weather information and warnings are viewed more than 2.6 billion times each year.
“We designed the new website in consultation with the community to make sure it delivers the benefits people want and need,” acting CEO Dr Peter Stone said.
Early reaction to the redesign, however, suggests it was neither wanted – or needed – by many Australians.
Within hours of its launch, the Bureau’s Facebook page was inundated with hundreds of comments, complaining the site is now “harder to navigate” and “an absolute sh*tshow”.
“I can’t believe what they’ve done to the bureau of meteorology website. Very disappointing and frustrating. And unnecessary,” one man wrote on X.
“It is useless. The rain radar is pointless. Why on earth did they change it?” another said.
“Totally f**ked a great easy website into a total mess,” a third commented.
While a fourth agreed: “It’s cr*p and a pain to use, the old one was heaps better!!”
“It is terrible. The information that is required is impossible to locate. Cancel this update. It is embarrassing,” one person said.
“Where is the information about rainfall, wind, temperatures at locations? Take a look at the map … some major errors and inaccuracies. Just go back to the previous version. Info needs to be easy to access.”
“What a useless pile of rubbish … won’t save to homepage properly … radar is useless … haven’t been able to even find Doppler yet … disgraceful … heads should roll,” someone else commented.
In a post on its Facebook page, the South Australian Weather account wrote: “Dear Bureau of Meteorology, Your new website is an absolute (poo emoji) show! 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!”
“You would think a once admired organisation would do some thorough research and testing before opening a new website,” it continued.
“Seems little or no public involvement was included. Will be defaulting to a competitor till you get your (poo emoji) back together.”
Not everyone was so critical – a number of Aussies welcomed the new site and its more “simple” format.
“It’s actually very, very good,” one person said.
“Simple – hits the main things you want to know on the first section …(like) what’s the temp NOW.”
Dr Stone said the rollout is just the beginning, with community and customer feedback set to inform further improvements. Specialist content from the Bureau’s “legacy” website will also be moved across, he said.
Another commented: “You have to consider it needs to cater for varying digital literacy.”
In an interview with ABC Radio Melbourne’s Drive program, senior Bureau meteorologist Angus Hines responded to criticism of what he called the “very stark visual difference” of the site.
“It looks a bit different, it plays a bit different, but look, all the important information is still there – you might have to find it in a slightly different way, but it is still there,” Mr Hines said.
The BoM has beeen contacted for comment.
Originally published as ‘Why on earth did they change it?’: New Bureau of Meteorology website slammed
