Clive Palmer says his companies will draw on their cash reserves to reopen his collapsed Townsville nickel refinery but liquidators want him to repay money owed to creditors.

Mr Palmer on Wednesday promised to restart the Queensland Nickel plant where 800 workers lost their jobs, a pledge that was met with caution by both sides of politics.

But the former federal MP has not said when it will happen.

“It is time for all sides to forget about politics and to support the Queensland company that owns the refinery and is debt free to open and operate (it),” he said in a statement.

Mr Palmer last month boasted that he’s worth $3 billion, and claimed he didn’t owe anyone any money.

More than $200 million of his personal assets, and more than $340 million in assets held by Palmer-related companies have been frozen while liquidators try to recover money owed to creditors.

They say any move to create jobs for affected workers in Townsville is a positive step forward.

The state’s Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch and Liberal National Party Leader Deb Frecklington responded to Mr Palmer’s news with a warning to the community of taking his promise beyond face value.

By Sonia Kohlbacher