Mt Beerwah has been temporarily closed after last week’s environmental vandalism.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), with the support of the Jinibara People, is temporarily closing the mountain to allow for reparations and cultural healing.
Regional Director, Geoff Brittingham, said the senseless act, where a power tool was used to carve words into a rock slab, has left rangers and the Jinibara traditional owners reeling with disgust and sadness.
“Not only has this callous person/s extensively defaced an area of rock, but they have also caused immeasurable damage and hurt to the Jinibara’s well-being,” Mr Brittingham said.
“Mt Beerwah is registered as a ‘Significant Aboriginal Area’ and the broader community has also expressed outrage over the incident.
“This temporary closure will allow for further investigation of the vandalism and time for rangers and the Jinibara to work together to repair and minimise long-term visual damage to the rock face,” Mr Brittingham said.
The mountain won’t be reopened until the healing has taken place and the environmental vandalism has been repaired.
“For the Jinibara, I hope this will in some way provide time and space to seek to heal deeper cultural wounds,” he said.
People are being asked to respect the closure.
Alternative hiking and rock scrambling tracks are available at Mount Ngungun and the Yul-yan-man track at Mount Beerburrum.
The incident has been reported to police and QPWS is asking for anyone with information to call the department on (07) 5494 3983, or make an anonymous call on 1300 130 372.
