The City of St. John's has delayed a plan for automated garbage collection that was discussed just weeks ago, on the heels of a cut in the latest Newfoundland and Labrador budget.

Mayor Dennis O'Keefe said the elimination of the city's annual operating grant — currently worth $3.4 million — is the reason for the change.

The government is turning over a one-time payment of about $8.5 million for infrastructure funding.

The city says the automated garbage plan, which would follow a similar collection system already used in neighbouring Mount Pearl, is just one of the projects cancelled or delayed.

City staff had estimated the robo-arm system would cost about $5 million.