The West Australian government has put a deadline on a voluntary buyback scheme for residents in a Pilbara suburb covered in iron ore dust.

The scheme was established in 2021 in response to a dust management report.

Dust levels have long been an issue in the town, which is the site of the world's largest bulk exports port.

The buyback scheme was only supposed to run for two years, but was extended in the hope more people would sell their homes.

The state government is hailing the scheme as a "success", with almost 80 per cent of the houses in the West End to be purchased or in progress by the end of 2025.

But for those who have called the West End home for decades, it is anything but.

Vacant houses in housing crisis

The state government said 299 properties had been bought back, with

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