Undercover cops join convoy

POLICE are secretly travelling with the Bob Brown-led antiAdani convoy heading to Clermont as pro-mining supporters prepare for their own counter protest.

Tension is mounting in Central Queensland as locals prepare for anti-Adani protesters to arrive in Airlie Beach today before heading to Mackay and then Clermont, the closest town to the controversial coal mine.

However, as activists continue their emission-fuelled journey, Bob Brown (pictured) is scheduled to attend Brisbane’s trendy Powerhouse tonight for “a night of heartfelt story and song” with Tibetan Tenzin Cheorgyal.

Meantime, some anti-Adani activists have used a private forum to reveal there would be “covert police” travelling with protesters. So far there have no been no breakouts between activists and pro-mining locals during their milk-run rallies.

In a statement, a police spokeswoman said, “for operational reasons the Queensland Police Service does not comment on, or confirm the deployment of, covert officers”.

A number of communityled Facebook pages have now been set up to peacefully rally against the protesters, including “Protest Against the Protesters”.

“The convoy plans to impose itself on the Clermont Community this weekend ... (and) we invite you who have the time to join with us and help protect our community, our lifestyle and our futures in a peaceful protest against these self-righteous fools,’’ the Facebook page says.

It comes as activists are being blamed for making it harder for North Queensland tourism season as operators are forced to counter lies that the Great Barrier Reef is dead.