In the past decade, the left-leaning families in inner-city Richmond have agitated, rightly, for a new high school. Some of us remember the dramatic scenes 25 years ago when protesters held out against the Kennett government's decision to close the former Richmond Secondary College.

More recently, an unexpected baby boom, coupled with lazy planning by successive governments, left families with too few options for public secondary education. But the problem's likely to be partly rectified next year when, assuming things go according to the ambitious plan, the $43 million "vertical" Richmond High School rises from a barren car park and opens its doors to year 7s.

And on hearing this announcement the people rejoiced and gave thanks, pledging their vote to local member Richard Wynne. Not. Things are never that simple or gracious where the anxious middle-class Melburnian parent is concerned.

One local told Domain that she's "sitting on the fence" about whether Richmond High will measure up to their requirements; as an insurance policy, they're planning to nab real estate in the Melbourne Girls' College zone. Just to have options, apparently. Because the major earthquake is that the arrival of Richmond High will zone many families out of the "prestigious" MGC, and some had bought property in what was then the catchment area with a view to enrolling their daughters. I'm not unsympathetic to these families; many are probably genuine in saying they're wedded to the idea of a girls-only public school.