Association executive director Chris Sounness said he expected the review to provide a clearer framework on how to best harness benefits of immigration, through planning and analysis, by February.
Mr Sounness said there was little secret the region needed more people to reach its development potential.
He said there had been many countless regional discussions on the potential and it was now important to get a holistic framework in place that identified planning priorities and ways to move forward.
“The Wimmera and southern Mallee needs more people to grow and migration will play a big role in having success,” he said.
“A key group the study examines is the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, or CALD, – people potentially from around the world.
“More broadly, there is also an acknowledgement that there are other migrants who might simply be keen to move from other parts of Australia.
“What we know is that opportunities need to be based on a holistic approach. There are many connective aspects that make a community thrive and joining the dots for people considering a shift here will be a key part of what happens.
“This is not just about getting a document we can dump on a desk. It will involve various working parties and building capabilities to support outcomes we want and to establish those capabilities for the long term.”
Mr Sounness said tapping into the strengths of individual communities and empowering people and businesses well established in the region was at the study forefront.
“We want enterprises that become regionally anchored here to be keen to reinvest in the region and be urging people to come in with investment, capital and commitment,” he said.
Mr Sounness said the three key areas the region needed to get right to make immigration work were family, employment and community.
“When you’re asking people to move to a new region, a family wants reasonable housing and services. How easy is it to get work? How do we ensure they don’t feel socially isolated? And how do we ensure they feel their voices are heard, that they are comfortable in having something to contribute,” he said.
“These are the aspects we are trying to clearly establish.
“Our region has had little growth in recent years or has fallen badly behind in matching other parts of the state and we must intervene.
“Population must come from outside the region to provide us with the critical growth spark.”
Mr Sounness said a regional housing study, also scheduled for release early in the new year, would complement the migrant review.
He said the association would present a discussion draft on housing to municipal representatives at a briefing meeting on Friday.
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