In February 2026, Intrapac Property CEO Max Shifman marks a significant milestone – 15 years with the business. Over that time, Intrapac has evolved into a nationally recognised developer of masterplanned communities, known for its long-term vision, sustainability leadership and commitment to creating places people are proud to call home.

For Max, the milestone is less about tenure and more about momentum.

“There’s no such thing as a typical day,” he says. “Development is a long game, full of unexpected twists and turns. It’s one thing to own land – it’s another thing entirely to turn it into something meaningful.”

From Development Manager to CEO

Max joined Intrapac in 2011 as a Development Manager, entering a business already respected for its disciplined approach to land development and placemaking. Over the following decade and a half, he progressed through senior leadership roles before being appointed Chief Executive Officer, helping guide the company through cycles of growth, reform and increasing industry complexity.

Today, Intrapac has around 20 active projects across various stages of the development lifecycle, spanning Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia – a scale that reflects both strategic patience and long-term conviction.

“What keeps me going is seeing projects come to fruition,” Max says. “We’re building entire communities. That’s what excites me – not career progression, but the impact.”

Leadership Grounded in Trust and Culture

Central to Max’s leadership philosophy is trust.

“For me, leadership comes down to trust and communication,” he explains. “I actively try to avoid micromanaging. You need to trust people to deliver – and sometimes that means letting them make mistakes.”

This approach has helped shape a culture at Intrapac that balances high performance with approachability – one that still feels personal despite the company’s national footprint.

“We’re still very much a family-style business,” Max says. “That’s something we want to protect as we grow.”

It’s a leadership style that prioritises people, accountability and shared learning – values that have remained consistent as the organisation has scaled.

Driving Intrapac’s Growth and National Impact

Over the past 15 years, Intrapac has delivered – and continues to deliver – award-winning residential communities that respond to Australia’s evolving housing needs.

Under Max’s leadership, the business has:

• Expanded its national development pipeline
• Delivered diverse housing outcomes across greenfield and infill markets
• Earned multiple UDIA Awards for Excellence, including recognition for residential subdivision, environmental outcomes and design quality
• Advanced industry-leading sustainability initiatives, including 6-Star Green Star Communities certification at Kinley

These achievements reflect Intrapac’s long-held belief that good development is not just about yield – it’s about legacy.

A Respected Industry Voice

Beyond Intrapac, Max is widely recognised as a thoughtful and candid industry commentator.

He served as National President of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), advocating for practical planning reform, improved housing supply outcomes and a more balanced conversation around development feasibility.

Max is also a frequent contributor to industry discussions through:

• Podcast appearances, including Property Developer Podcast
• Opinion pieces and commentary on housing policy, planning systems and market constraints
• An active online presence across LinkedIn, leading and engaging with important conversations
• Intrapac’s annual “Year in Review” reflections, offering insight into where the industry is heading

In 2025, Max launched The Home Ground podcast alongside David Basheer, exploring the powerful intersection between property, sport and major infrastructure. The platform allows Max to bring together his passion for sport with his expertise in property development, unpacking topics such as stadium deals, precinct planning, urban regeneration and long-term investment.

Known for addressing complex issues directly – from planning delays to rising construction costs – while remaining solutions-focused, Max brings a measured, experience-led perspective to public discussion, encouraging informed debate across the industry.

“We need to be honest about what’s holding housing back,” Max says. “If we want better outcomes, the system has to enable them.”

Sustainability, Community and the Long View

Sustainability has become a defining pillar of Intrapac’s work over the past decade – not as a trend, but as a responsibility.

Projects like Kinley & Whiterock demonstrate how environmental performance, liveability and community connection can coexist at scale. For Max, sustainability is inseparable from good placemaking.

“We’re building places people will live in for generations,” he says. “You have to take a long-term view – environmentally, socially and economically.”

This mindset continues to guide Intrapac’s project selection, design approach and delivery strategy across the country.

A Founders Perspective: 15 Years On

For Intrapac Founder & Executive Chairman, David Payes AM, Max’s 15-year milestone represents more than longevity – it marks a deliberate and deeply considered transition of trust.

“When you build a business of this size and complexity, you have to have a succession plan in place,” David says. “And a big part of that is knowing who is going to take over the day-to-day running of the company.”

That confidence, he explains, came with time, but was also informed by Max’s unrivalled track record.

“Max has all the attributes I think are essential in a CEO. He has strong business experience, a professional background in engineering and law, and a practical understanding of how this industry works. But just as importantly, he shares a very similar philosophy to mine – one that I believe has served the business well.”

After working alongside Max for several years, David says it became clear that the foundations were in place – not just in capability, but in values.

“Once I was confident that Max had the skills and the right approach, I was very comfortable handing over the day-to-day role. Today, I remain involved at a strategic level, but Max leads the business with a strong team around him – and that gives me great confidence in the long-term future of Intrapac.”

As Intrapac continues to evolve, David’s role has shifted to one of guidance – combining more than four decades of experience with Max’s fresh perspective to help ensure the business remains strong, values-led and built for the long term.

Looking Ahead: Building What Matters

Fifteen years in, Max Shifman’s motivation remains remarkably clear.

“It’s one thing to look after a lot of land,” he says. “It’s another thing to turn it into something meaningful.”

Over his time at Intrapac, Max has seen landmark projects come to life – from Somerfield in Keysborough, a multi award-winning community delivering nearly 2,000 homes, to Quay2 in Torquay, where thoughtful urban design, landscaping and housing quality reflect the hallmarks of the Intrapac approach. Seeing these places take shape – and continue to stand the test of time – is what he finds most rewarding.

Looking ahead, Max believes the strength of Intrapac lies in its long-term view. A deep national pipeline, strong financial foundations and trusted partnerships give the business confidence to think not just about the next project, but the next decade.

“Land development is a tough game,” he says. “You need to take a patient approach and create a vision for what you’re going to deliver, where you’re going to deliver it and how you’re going to deliver it.”

For Max, ambition today is not about titles or progression. It’s about scale with substance, delivering quality, building entire communities and seeing them come to fruition.

“I don’t need career progression to be excited about that,” he says. “We’re still building and finding opportunities – and that’s what keeps it exciting.”