SUNSHINE Coast 2032 will shut down after pressure from Brisbane 2032 organisers to abandon its name, branding and operating model.
The advocacy group said it had considered rebranding and creating a successor organisation, but concluded the changes would fundamentally alter its purpose.
“As Brisbane 2032’s commercial, sponsorship and brand arrangements have developed, Sunshine Coast 2032 was asked to reconsider its name, branding and future operating arrangements,” the board said.
It said a successor body would have required a much broader remit and lacked the clear purpose that had united volunteers, sponsors and supporters.
The closure ends four years of regional advocacy backed by more than 70 foundation sponsors and prominent local figures including chair Roz White and deputy chair Mal Brough.
The group attracted controversy after questioning rail plans for The Wave corridor between Beerwah and Maroochydore and promoting bus rapid transit instead. The board said the closure was not due to a loss of regional support.