National park vandals have been warned of the serious penalties they face, after damage and graffiti was found at a popular peak.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service last week received a report from park visitors about fresh markings, including names carved into rocks, near the end of the main Mount Ngungun walking track in the Glass House Mountains National Park.
The mountain attracts about 5000 visitors a week.
It follows a similar incident last year, when power tools were used to slice deep into the mountain peak and cliff faces of nearby Mount Beerwah.
Ranger-in-charge James Plant said it was unacceptable behaviour.
“It is extremely disappointing to see selfish people cause this type of damage to the mountain,” he said.
“Not only is this type of vandalism extremely disrespectful, but it looks terrible and is difficult or sometimes impossible to remove.
“This means that every person who graffities this beautiful area is contributing to irreversible changes that undermine the park’s cultural and environmental values.”
The QPWS warned that any person caught interfering with anything within the national park can face up to two years imprisonment or be fined up to $483,900.
It issued a media release that stated that defacing Glass House Mountains National Park was illegal, can cause irreversible damage to the environment, and is disrespectful to the Kabi Kabi people who have a strong connection to the area.
Rangers will work with volunteers from the Friends of Parks group this week to remove as much of the graffiti as possible.
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