Repairing the vandalism to an historic monument to fallen soldiers at the Toowong War Memorial will cost ratepayers $20,000 Brisbane City Council was told on Tuesday.

Brisbane City Council will seek court-ordered restitution of the damage costs.

Photos of the Catholic Worker movement members removing the sword from the Cross of Sacrifice on Ash Wednesday. The group pleads not guilty to wilful damage.

Two religious fanatics have confessed to vandalising the Cross of Sacrifice inside the Toowong Cemetery which has stood at the war memorial since 1924.

The monument honours the man credited with being the founder of Anzac Day, Canon David Garland.