Agree, as usual, with Whale.
There is no Owners Corporation, per se, when a statutory appointment is in place, so the OC can’t apply for an extension.
I am also told it is routine for strata managers to make an application for an extension, and for that to be granted, because it is very rare for owners to have organised themselves and resolved the issues that caused the appointment in the first place, within the initial term of the appointment.
It sounds like your strata manager just doesn’t want the gig any more, possibly because it’s more hassle than it’s worth. It happens!