However, the Broken, Campaspe, Loddon and Bullarook systems remain without an allocation in 2009/10, G-MW says.

According to G-MW, at the same time last year, the Murray system had an allocation of 6pc HRWS, the Goulburn system had a 4pc HRWS allocation and allocations were zero in all other systems.

G-MW's resource manager, Graeme Hannan, said in a statement to the media today that the timing of the first allocation for the Goulburn system was consistent with last season.

"Inflows to the Goulburn system since the start of September have exceeded forecasts and are sufficient to begin allocations this season," Mr Hannan said.

"It should be noted that the allocation includes water that will be accessed by pumping from Waranga Basin again this season.

"The improvements in the Murray system have come from the continuing inflows after the most recent rain event in late August."

Both the Goulburn and Murray distribution systems will operate continuously throughout the season, although water conservation measures will remain in place because of the dry conditions.

"The water currently available in the smaller northern Victorian systems is not sufficient to assure that continuous operations are possible," Mr Hannan said.

"Whilst there has been some minor improvement in the volumes in each of the Broken, Campaspe, Loddon and Bullarook system storages, significant shortfalls to meeting the operating commitments remain.

"The low September inflows and strong possibility that there will not be enough improvement means that it is increasingly likely that these systems are facing another season without any water allocation."