Mr Colless is angry that work will begin in November on an interim bypass, which he claims is unnecessary, financially irresponsible and certain to damage his business.

The interim bypass will see traffic travel along the existing Newell Highway on the southern entry to Moree, then turn right onto the Gwydir Highway (Alice Street), before turning left into the newly-constructed northern section of the bypass.

That will impact Annie’s Bakery, which is on Alice Street.

Mr Colless expects much of Alice Street to be closed during November, which he says will reduce his turnover and thus his ability to pay his staff.

He wants the original plan for the Moree Bypass to be adhered to, which calls for work to be carried out on the southern section, parallel to Gosport Street, so that it can then be linked to the northern section.

However, the NSW Department of Planning has said that work on the southern section cannot proceed until an area of land is decontaminated.

It has therefore authorised the construction of an interim bypass, which will handle traffic during the clean-up.

Mr Colless, though, disputes this explanation, saying that the real reason the plan has been changed is because of RTA incompetence.

He had a meeting with the RTA last Friday, in which he claims the RTA admitted to overspending and poor planning.

He says that that, in turn, has forced the RTA to opt for a cheaper interim bypass, as it no longer has the money to fulfil the original plan.

According to Mr Colless, the situation is “ridiculous”, as taxpayers’ money that had been set aside for the necessary Moree Bypass will now be wasted on an unnecessary interim bypass.

He is demanding an enquiry into the RTA’s handling of the project.

“They’re arrogant, they’re unaccountable,” he said.

“This is just a gross mismanagement and misappropriation of taxpayers’ dollars.”

Mr Colless wants the interim bypass to be scrapped, but has said that if it is not, he and the other affected businesses on Alice Street should be paid compensation.

“Why have I got to suck up someone else’s mistake? Why does Moree have to suck up the RTA’s mistake?