New Hope Group's controversial $900 million New Acland mine expansion has been given a new lease of life after the Queensland Supreme Court overturned an earlier ruling which recommended the Palaszczuk Labor government oppose the expansion of the mine in the Darling Downs, west of Brisbane.

The proposed stage three of the New Acland mine - a saga that dragged on through the courts and regulatory process for the past decade and has attracted big name critics including Sydney radio host Alan Jones - will now head back to the Land Court for yet another hearing.