The federal government has demanded clarity from the Bureau of Meteorology regarding the staggering $92 million discrepancy in the reported costs of their newly launched website, which has faced significant public criticism.

Stuart Minchin, the Bureau’s newly appointed chief, disclosed that the comprehensive project expenses reached a total of $96.5 million. This figure vastly exceeds the previously reported $4.1 million, which only covered the redesign of the website’s front-end interface.

Among the costs, a substantial $78 million was allocated to a contract with Accenture Australia, reflecting the broader scope of the project.

“The remaining expenditure covers the essential overhaul and rigorous testing of the systems and technology that form the website’s foundation,” Minchin explained in a statement. “This ensures the platform is secure, stable, and capable of processing the extensive data from our observing network and weather models.”

Expressing dissatisfaction, Environment Minister Murray Watt, who supervises the Bureau of Meteorology, voiced his concern over the financial overrun.

“The initial estimate of around $4 million provided by the Bureau was related to a single aspect of the website’s development,” Watt clarified to ABC.

“It’s a matter for them why they chose to provide that figure rather than a broader figure.

“But there’s no doubt that there have been increases in the cost of this website as it’s been developed, and one of the things I have asked the new CEO of the BoM to get on top of is what happened here.”

Watt has met with Minchin twice since he took on the Bureau’s top role a fortnight ago, first to raise concerns about criticisms of the new website and a second time to discuss the total cost figures.

“I’m looking forward to a bit of a change in the culture and the approach of the BoM,” he said, throwing his support behind Minchin to “get on top of this and drive some change”.

“If there are lessons around future procurements that are needed, then we need to know what they are.”

The Bureau of Meteorology’s website, which is one of the most visited sites in Australia, was last upgraded under Kevin Rudd’s first term as prime minister and found to have vulnerabilities after a cyber intrusion in 2015.

The redesigned website went live on October 22 under former chief Andrew Johnson and was met with heavy criticism over usability issues, including difficulties finding features, and complaints about the rain radar and weather map.

The federal government ordered the Bureau of Meteorology to fix the website, with some changes already made.

Minchin said a website update was scheduled to go live last week, but was postponed due to the severe Tropical Cyclone Fina off the Northern Territory coast.

The update will respond directly to community feedback received during the beta phase, with a focus on making the rain radar and weather map easier to use.

It will also include video tutorials, website help and troubleshooting to help users navigate the site. 

“Given this [$96.5 million] investment, it’s vital we get it right,” he said in a statement.

“I want to assure you that our dedicated teams are working hard to continue delivering website updates and improvements as quickly as possible.”

The Bureau of Meteorology’s new website update will be rescheduled as soon as the severe weather subsides, with a date to be announced soon.