Maranoa Council has separated the contracts for the Mitchell Pool and Spa with management agreements for both set for renewal in the new year.

The Spa's contract expires on January 22, 2012 and council will seek tenders to start from that date, however council will manage the pool and spa until arrangements are finalised.

In the final 2011 meeting of council, councillors heard the current contractor - who got $200,000 a year to manage both complexes - would not be tendering for either contract.

Confusion reigned for a while over the complexity of the motion as councillors grappled with what exactly they were voting for and several alternatives on the table, including rebuilding the spa at a different location.

Cr Jeff Watson said what people wanted in Mitchell was to split the management of the two complexes but keep the spa on site and this was supported by the regional visitors' strategy.

In the end council voted unanimously to split the contracts and also tender separately for the refurbishment which they hope will be complete before the start of the winter season.

New pool shells, electrics, heating and filtration systems will be some of the works included.

Council have budgeted $180,000 to refurbish it at the current location and have a $110,000 grant from the Commonwealth Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.

Maranoa mayor Robert Loughnan said the upgrade was greatly needed.

"The Great Artesian Spa is one of the region's premier tourist attractions, bringing many economic benefits to Mitchell and the wider Maranoa community," Cr Loughnan said.

"This is another example of aging infrastructure that has to be renewed and I look forward to seeing the results once the renovations are complete."