A Queensland mountain is reopening after vandals defaced a significant Indigenous site with a religious message.
A power tool was used to grind the words "Jesus Saves Just Ask Him" into the rock at the base of the Sunshine Coast's Mt Beerwah in May.
The mountain in Glass House Mountains National Park is a site of high cultural significance for the local Jinibara people.
It was closed to give rangers and traditional owners time to minimise the damage but will reopen to visitors on Friday, the Queensland environment department confirmed on Thursday.
In a statement, the department revealed remediation efforts have been complicated by further interference from a member of the public.
"(Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service) are appealing to the public not to interfere with the site and to allow QPWS, the Jinibara and specialist conservators (to) conduct the remediation works," it said.
Offenders could face fines of up to $500,000 and two years in jail.
When the vandalism was first discovered, QPWS regional director Geoff Brittingham said it had left rangers and the Jinibara people "reeling with disgust and sadness".
"Not only has this callous person or persons extensively defaced an area of rock, but they have also caused immeasurable damage and hurt to the Jinibara's well-being," he said.
