A sacred Indigenous site on a Queensland mountain has reopened following an incident of vandalism where an important rock surface was marked with a religious message.

The vandalism, reading “Jesus Saves Just Ask Him”, was etched using a power tool at the base of Mt Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast in May. The affected mountain holds immense cultural value for the local Jinibara community and is situated within the Glass House Mountains National Park.

Recognising the significance of the site, it was temporarily closed to allow rangers and traditional custodians the opportunity to mitigate the harm caused.

Senior Ranger Nat Smith said “The person or persons responsible could be liable for the cost of rehabilitating the site, which may cost tens of thousands of dollars.”

“Anyone who defaces our national parks will be fined because rangers investigate every incidence of environmental vandalism,” she said.