The West Australian government has set a deadline for a voluntary buyback program aimed at residents in a Pilbara suburb affected by iron ore dust. This initiative began in 2021 following a dust management report. The area has struggled with dust issues for years, as it is home to the world's largest bulk export port. Initially planned for two years, the buyback scheme was extended to encourage more homeowners to sell their properties.

The state government claims the program is a success, with nearly 80 percent of homes in the West End expected to be purchased or in the process of being acquired by the end of 2025. However, many long-time residents feel differently.

According to government reports, 299 properties have been bought back, leaving 105 still available. Tina Scott, a resident who purchased her home during a market downturn, has opted not to sell. "We don't want to be paying rent $1,000 a week in South Hedland, and leave Port Hedland," she said. Scott noted that many homes in the West End are now vacant amid a housing crisis. "We've got hundreds of essential services [staff] that can't get housing, but they've got hundreds of houses sitting there empty. I would hardly call that a success."

The buyback offers homeowners a price based on 2019 property values, with an indexation and a 35 percent premium. However, Scott argues that this offer is unaffordable for many who bought during the market boom.

Real estate agent Morag Lowe, a West End resident for 20 years, stated that no financial offer could persuade her to leave. "It's not based on finance, it's based on suitability really," she explained. Lowe acknowledged the dust as a part of daily life, requiring regular maintenance, but described it as merely an inconvenience.

The Port of Port Hedland, which exports over 500 million tonnes of material annually, primarily iron ore, is crucial to the local economy. According to a 2024 report, nearly three-quarters of Port Hedland's residents are employed in the port and its supply chain. "If the dust wasn't here, we wouldn't be here," Lowe remarked.

Hedland Maritime Initiative (HMI), a subsidiary of Pilbara Ports, is acquiring properties under the buyback scheme to develop a maritime precinct. The West End land has been rezoned, prohibiting the construction of new homes. Lowe expressed concern about the future of property values in the area, stating, "If they don't sell to the government by the end of the year, who are you going to sell to in the future?"

Scott called for clearer plans regarding the future redevelopment of the area, saying, "Nothing has really happened — they've bought all these properties, they've done a clean-up, but what's going to happen?"

WA Minister for Regional Development Stephen Dawson announced that the buyback scheme will have a settlement period until the end of March 2026. He indicated that the West End would be redeveloped for non-residential purposes under the Port Hedland West End Improvement Scheme. "Longer term, we would still like to see everybody move out of the West End but people have made a decision to stay, they're not willing to sell their property, so they will remain as residents," Dawson stated.

HMI will continue to manage the final acquisitions and the maintenance of the properties acquired. In a subsequent statement, Dawson noted that most houses under the scheme are still occupied, with some approved for short-stay accommodations. However, he acknowledged that a "small number" are vacant and not suitable for occupancy. The government anticipates that more housing will gradually enter the market, leading to a decrease in occupancy of houses involved in the buyback scheme.